Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for defining and redefining a dynamic graphical user interface, which can control multiple applications or applets with one graphical user interface. As new applications or applets are launched, the graphical user interface determines the functionality of the newly added application. Existing functions are used if they are equal to functions required of the new application or applet. New functionality is added if required.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a graphics layout language that is defined by the broadcaster or the studio to control the layout of graphic overlays in relation to corresponding images presented on a display. Each user interface component is divided into objects that define their individual behaviors and presentations. Data files using the hypertext markup language, HTML, layout these objects on the screen. By varying the HTML data files, control is provided to the broadcaster over what objects are displayed on the screen, where they are placed on the screen, and to a limited effect, their behavior. This can be accomplished without re-writing the executables as would be necessary in other television type user interface implementations.

Abstract: A computer system has a large number of media input sources selectively coupled to a single presentation device. A device database tracks characteristics and connections of the input sources. Multiple, possibly conflicting, channels are assigned to a set of mutually distinct logical channel designations in a channel-map database. Program events occurring on the channels reside in a guide database.

Abstract: System and method for constructing and customizing icons for use in a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. A GUI is provided with a set of available user interface components that may be selected and combined by a user to create new icons or to modify existing icons. Each icon comprises a plurality of components and each component may be represented by a set of primitives, or component objects. With respect to each component, a user may select an object from the set of objects to represent the component and the selected objects are combined to create a coherent icon used for representing applications, functions and documents in an operating system or applications program. The combination of the component objects is performed based on sets of rules associated with the individual components, which rules dictate the positioning, scaling, graphical combination and available coloring of the component.

Abstract: System and method for constructing and customizing icons for use in a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. A GUI is provided with a set of available user interface components that may be selected and combined by a user to create new icons or to modify existing icons. Each icon comprises a plurality of components and each component may be represented by a set of primitives, or component objects. With respect to each component, a user may select an object from the set of objects to represent the component and the selected objects are combined to create a coherent icon used for representing applications, functions and documents in an operating system or applications program. The combination of the component objects is performed based on sets of rules associated with the individual components, which rules dictate the positioning, scaling, graphical combination and available coloring of the component.

Abstract: System and method for constructing and customizing icons for use in a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. A GUI is provided with a set of available user interface components that may be selected and combined by a user to create new icons or to modify existing icons. Each icon comprises a plurality of components and each component may be represented by a set of primitives, or component objects. With respect to each component, a user may select an object from the set of objects to represent the component and the selected objects are combined to create a coherent icon used for representing applications, functions and documents in an operating system or applications program. The combination of the component objects is performed based on sets of rules associated with the individual components, which rules dictate the positioning, scaling, graphical combination and available coloring of the component.