Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for location based messaging. A user at one computer system selects at least on other computer system that is to receive an electronic message. The at least one other computer system is selected based on the location of the at least one other computer system, without having to know an electronic identifier of any users at the at least one other computer system. The computer system refers to a mapping that maps computer systems locations to corresponding electronic addresses. Messages can then be sent to the electronic addresses. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention facilitate at least semi-anonymous electronic communication in a network computing environment and significantly mitigate the perceived need of an immediate response that is often associated with responding to (potentially in person) verbal communication.

Abstract: User input methods may employ an input sensitive display screen that is agnostic with regard to the orientation in which the user is viewing the screen. Input methods may involve touching objects displayed on the screen, and movement of the objects may be determined by the release of a selected object, and a positional relationship involving the released and selected objects. A released object may automatically move towards, or away from, other selected objects. Alternatively, other selected objects may automatically move towards, or away from, the released object. Selection of objects may be performed in a sequence, and the particular sequence may help determine the direction of movement. Selection of multiple objects may be accomplished through a user simultaneously holding a finger over multiple objects, or a selection timer may be used to select multiple objects within a predetermined time. Gestures, such as a tilting of a finger on a display screen, may also determine movement characteristics.

Abstract: An indication of actions by participants taking part in an interactive environment that can represent peripheral information or tells (i.e., not essential to participating in the environment) are communicated to computing devices used by other participants in the interactive environment. Each such action or behavior being monitored is associated with a corresponding indicator. After one of the additional behaviors is detected, the corresponding indicator can be presented to another participant by a computing device used by the other participant. Thus, the other participant may perceive, and respond to the peripheral behavior. For example, if the interactive environment is a card game, a player's act in reordering cards that are held, counting chips, moving the input device in a spurious manner, and other such behaviors are indicated to other players. Receiving indicators of these behaviors enables other players to respond to these behaviors, making the interactive environment more like playing face-to-face.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for location based messaging. A user at one computer system selects at least on other computer system that is to receive an electronic message. The at least one other computer system is selected based on the location of the at least one other computer system, without having to know an electronic identifier of any users at the at least one other computer system. The computer system refers to a mapping that maps computer systems locations to corresponding electronic addresses. Messages can then be sent to the electronic addresses. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention facilitate at least semi-anonymous electronic communication in a network computing environment and significantly mitigate the perceived need of an immediate response that is often associated with responding to (potentially in person) verbal communication.

Abstract: A display system and method for use in controlling movement of a virtual image version of a physical object is described. A physical object may be placed on or near a display surface, which may sense the presence of the object and display a virtual image version of the object. In response to movement of the physical object, the virtual image may move as well. Movement speed of the virtual image may be capped at a maximum speed, so that if the physical object is moved too quickly, the image will remain moving at a constant maximum speed. Movement effects, such as blurring, fading, animation, etc. may be applied to the image during the movement. The movement may change direction as the physical object is detected in different positions, and the movement effects may be applied to smooth the change in direction (e.g., curving trajectory).

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: A method for text entry in an electronic device is disclosed. As a user enters text, such as a URL, into a handheld device the entered text is matched to previously visited URLs and these matched URLs are displayed in a list. The entered text may also be matched to any stored list of URLs or text. Typically, the matching searches for any instances of the entered text no matter the location of the entered text in the matched string. If one of the listed URLs is the URL desired by the user, then the user may select that URL and navigate a web browser to the URL without entering any more text. One of the items in the list may be the entered text with an automatically added prefix and suffix. These features significantly reduce the difficulty of entering URLs, especially on a device with limited input capabilities.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: A method for text entry in an electronic device is disclosed. As a user enters text, such as a URL, into a handheld device the entered text is matched to previously visited URLs and these matched URLs are displayed in a list. The entered text may also be matched to any stored list of URLs or text. Typically, the matching searches for any instances of the entered text no matter the location of the entered text in the matched string. If one of the listed URLs is the URL desired by the user, then the user may select that URL and navigate a web browser to the URL without entering any more text. One of the items in the list may be the entered text with an automatically added prefix and suffix. These features significantly reduce the difficulty of entering URLs, especially on a device with limited input capabilities.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: An improved method and system for receiving user input data into a computer system having a keyboard with a dynamic key that changes its meaning and appearance in response to a predicted need of a user. The dynamic key is preferably provided on a displayed keyboard of a touch-sensitive input panel. Characters are provided to a prediction engine which returns a prediction comprising a likely next character, such as a punctuation symbol. The meaning and appearance of the dynamic key may change based on the prediction, whereby a user may more efficiently enter data via a fixed number of keys.