Abstract: A system, method and computer program are provided for a virtual three-dimensional workspace wherein dependent upon the position of the viewpoint with respect to a particular object, that object may be a functional interactive object with the user at the viewpoint if the virtual distance of the viewpoint to the object is within a certain specified distance. However, if the viewpoint moves beyond this distance, then the object is rendered noninteractive and becomes part of an aggregate object at the next distance level. In forming this aggregate object, the selected object joins a plurality of other noninteractive objects.

Abstract: A data processing system, software program, and method of operation realistically displays a users model of a device as an object, while providing additional functions which cannot exist in the devices real-world counterparts. The data processing system and software program allow a view or a realistically-rendered object and a function associated with that object to be selectively modified in response to a user input. During operation, a cursor displayed by a display device (138) is used to access a view changing mechanism displayed on the realistically-rendered object. By selectively accessing the view changing mechanism, a user is able to change a view of the realistically-rendered object from a base function view to a full function view.

Abstract: A data processing system, software program, and method scale the contents of a window or similar display area in unison and in proportion. During operation, all of the contained control, text, and images included in the window are scaled proportionately so that a user is still able to use the displayed object and the displayed object retains its characteristic image. Composite images of realistically-rendered objects are resized and moved in a manner which is dependent upon a common non-changing representation of a container and a contained object displayed on a display device. When the common non-changing representation is modified by resizing, a scaling operation is performed on the composite image as a whole. However, when the representation of a contained object is modified and the common non-changing representation is no longer displayed, a region of a contained object is "clipped out" from the container before the image is displayed.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for operation thereof perform an automatic function when an external user modifies a focus of a window displayed on a display device. For example, assume a window provides an object form of a telephony application. When the external user switches the system focus to the phone window and is in a state awaiting a user action, such as answering a ringing telephone, the answering action is automatically performed concurrently with the focus change.

Abstract: A method of accessing electronic information, by loading an original document onto a data processing system, selecting a link embedded in the original document (wherein the link is associated with a linked document), and creating a new document by merging the linked document with the original document. Other new documents can similarly be created by merging additional linked documents with the earlier new documents in response to the further selection of other links embedded in the new documents. The original document and one or more linked documents can thus be displayed as a single, unitary file, as well as being printed as a single document. The linked document can be merged with the original document in a variety of manners. The invention is particularly useful in accessing hypertext pages on the World Wide Web of the Internet.

Abstract: In a data processor controlled display system having three-dimensional objects laid out in a three-dimensional virtual workspace, the objects have associated there with respective collision barriers which are stored with their corresponding objects. Then during navigation via changing the users viewpoint in to the workspace, when this changing viewpoint encounters any collision barrier which is offset from its object by a selected distance D, the viewpoint stops. This distance of the barrier from the object is selected so as to stop the viewpoint at a distance sufficiently removed from its particular object so as to leave the user or viewer with a view of the workscape of sufficient scope to permit the viewer to select a different navigation path or path branch. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the viewpoint is optionally provided with a similar collision barrier.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing face viewpoints of objects in a 3D environment includes three aspects. In a first aspect, the system and method is directed to defining a plurality of optimized viewpoints of an object referred to hereinafter as face viewpoints. In a second aspect a method and system is disclosed that provides for a preferred face viewpoint of the plurality of face viewpoints. Finally, the third aspect provides for a system and method for determining a navigation path to the preferred face viewpoint.

Abstract: A method and system for navigating through an opaque structure via a user on a display in a computer system. The method and system comprises the steps of determining if the opaque structure is within a predetermined distance of the user and changing the opaque structure to a translucent structure when the user is within the predetermined distance of the opaque structure. Accordingly through the use of the method and system, a user can navigate more easily and efficiently through a display, particularly in three-dimensional environments associated with such a display without becoming disoriented.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program are provided for a virtual three-dimensional workspace containing a plurality of three-dimensional objects which may be interactively addressed or accessed by the viewer or user to perform a variety of interactive functions. In addition to these objects, the present invention provides a two-dimensional workplane setup at the front of the three-dimensional workspace which the viewer selectively contains two-dimensional images corresponding to and resembling selected three-dimensional whereby the user may select either the three-dimensional object or its two-dimensional image to perform particular interactive functions.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for a virtual three-dimensional workspace wherein certain three-dimensional objects represent or serve as proxies for a variety of user interactive application programs. Such objects may be selected or triggered by the user to bring forth planar two-dimensional interactive user interfaces having images resembling those of their respective representative 3D objects so that a user may intuitively note the resemblance and select the appropriate object to result in the planar two-dimensional interactive interface appearing in front of the three-dimensional workspace. This two-dimensional planar interface remains active and unaffected by changes to its representative three-dimensional object during the course of navigation or otherwise. A drag and drop technique facilitates viewer interaction between images in a two-dimensional workplane with three-dimensional objects in the virtual three-dimensional workspace.

Abstract: The problem addressed by this invention is that of resolving what occurs when a user's viewpoint comes into contact with an object residing in a three-dimensional workspace as the viewer navigates through that workspace. There are several possibilities in such a situation. For example, the viewer's viewpoint may be stopped and prevented from advancing further or it may penetrate the object. The instant invention provides a climbability property for objects in 3-D virtual environments. This property, when stored in the software along with the properties which define that object, can alter the viewer's viewpoint such that it will automatically be adjusted to simulate the behavior of climbing over the object.

Abstract: A method and system for graphic video image control of selected segments of video data from within a video presentation which includes a large number of video frames. The video frames are displayed in a stacked overlapping manner within a computer display system. Upon selection of a particular edge of the display of an uppermost frame, each frame is then slightly offset from an adjacent frame such that a small portion of each overlapped frame may be visually accessed. A user may then select some portion of the video presentation for display by observing the transition effects along the exposed edge of each frame and then graphically selecting a particular frame utilizing a graphical pointing device, such as a mouse pointer. The selected frame is then displayed and a particular portion of the video presentation, beginning at the selected frame, may then be presented, greatly enhancing the efficiency of video display control.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for controlling the selection, in a single object, of multiple activities implemented by plural data structures. The invention provides a control mechanism for associating many selection points with many actions. That is, instead of associating data with an action, the present invention associates the action with the data. Therefore, the object of selection becomes the control element, rather than merely the initiator of the action. Since, the control is understood to be a mechanism for initiating an action, the period in which it is an object of selection must be indicated to a user. This will indicate to the user that the state of the control has changed. The present invention provides a control mechanism wherein a single object can change its appearance and represent different functions that can be implemented by a user. To do this, a mechanism is provided to associate the various representations of the object with the data that will implement the different functions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and memory embodying detailed logic direct a computer system to automatically shift a window substantially off a display screen using a pointer and user controls (e.g., mouse). The display screen has at least one edge, but typically is rectangular in shape having four edges. The first step of the method includes moving the window on the display screen in a direction consistent with the movement of the pointer. To do so, the user positions and activates the pointer over the window using the user controls. The second step includes automatically scrolling the window substantially off the display screen such that only a portion of the window remains visible at the edge of the display screen. This step occurs when the user has activated and positioned the pointer over the window and then moved the activated pointer to one of the edges of the display screen for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., two seconds).

Abstract: A method, system, and memory for reshaping a window using a drop-down scroll bar are provided. The method includes the step of dynamically reshaping the frame of a window around information within the window in accordance with a preference setting and in response to scrolling the information using a drop-down scroll bar. The system includes a display for displaying the window, a processor, and, in response to a command from user controls means for controlling the processor to reshape the frame of the window around information within the window as the information is being scrolled. The memory includes computer readable program code that is stored in the memory. The computer readable program code provides instructions for reshaping the frame of a window around information that is being scrolled in that window.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program are provided for a virtual three-dimensional workspace wherein the three-dimensional objects and the workspace in general are environmentally associated, particularly in real world size relationships. In the default or normal workspace, all of the objects are sized relative to each other so that the relative sizing is the same as it would be in the real world. However, in order to provide the viewer ease of use when the viewer has selected particular functional objects for interaction, the system has stored for each of such functional objects an enlarged image of the object. This image is stored associated with the object and is displayed upon the selection of the object by the user. When the user has completed the interaction with the object by way of its enlarged image, the three-dimensional object returns to its default or real world sized image in the three-dimensional workspace.

Abstract: The invention is an information handling system, which includes one or more processing units, a memory system, and one or more I/O controllers all connected to a system bus, the I/O controllers controlling various input/output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display device, communications adapters and the like, and an operating system program for controlling the processors, the memory system, and the I/O controllers, which provides a user interface, one or more tools which may be represented by objects on a tool bar or the like presented on the display device by the user interface, and an eraser/undo tool for erasing a portion of an existing image presented on the display device by the user interface by direct application of the object representing an eraser tool to the portion of the image to be erased, such that marks previously obscured reappear in the areas to which the eraser tool has been applied.

Abstract: A uniquely programmed computer system, computer-implemented method, and computer readable memory embodying computer-readable detailed logic (i.e., computer readable program code) direct a computer system to display an image map having graphical objects thereon and an original appearance. At least a first portion of the graphical objects are links to other documents. The method includes the step of changing the original appearance of the first portion of the graphical objects to indicate that those graphical objects are links. This step is performed in response to user controls (e.g., a user positioning a mouse cursor) positioned on the image map.

Abstract: An apparatus and method transmit analyzed voice samples from a wireless transmitting device worn by a user to a remote voice activated data processing system having a speech recognition system stored thereon. The method includes the first step of storing voice characteristics of a user into a memory (e.g. a RAM chip) on a wireless transmitting device. The second step includes voice activating the transmitting device and speech recognition system. After the transmitting device and speech recognition system have been activated, the third step includes transmitting the voice characteristics from the memory to the speech recognition system, thereby enabling the user to verbally communicate directly with the voice activated data processing system.

Abstract: A uniquely programmed computer system and computer-implemented method direct a computer system to efficiently transmit voice. The method includes the steps of transforming voice from a user into text at a first system, converting a voice sample of the user into a set of voice characteristics stored in a voice database in a second system, and transmitting the text to the second system, whereby the second system converts the text into audio by synthesizing the voice of the user using the voice characteristics from the voice sample. The voice characteristics and text may be transmitted individually or jointly. However, if the system transmits voice characteristics individually, subsequent multiple text files are transmitted and converted at the second system using the stored voice characteristics located within the second system.