Abstract: In a touch panel device for detecting a position touched by an object by sensing an attenuation or break of surface acoustic waves, in which IDTs for exciting or receiving surface acoustic waves comprising comb-like electrode fingers aligned along confronting bus electrodes are placed on a peripheral area of a substrate, drawing electrodes connected to the bus electrode positioned closer to the center of the substrate and led out to the peripheral area side of the substrate are provided. Each of the IDT regions segmented by the drawing electrodes is constituted by repetition, and the drawing electrodes are disposed so that impedance in each IDT region becomes equal.

Abstract: A computerized apparatus includes a circuit module mounted in a housing and coupled electrically to a touch control panel that is mounted on the housing. The circuit module has a first contact unit registered with an insert hole formed in the housing. A touch pen is mounted removably on the housing, and has a second contact unit extending radially and outwardly from a conductive core that extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the touch pen. The first end portion is formed as a touch tip for operating the touch control panel when the touch pen is removed from the housing. The first contact unit establishes electrical contact with the second contact unit when the touch pen is extended into the housing via the insert hole such that the circuit module is capable of receiving and transmitting a wireless signal from and to the conductive core.

Abstract: An electronic pen is provided with a casing. A sensor substrate is formed by arranging two comblike conductive patterns on a flexible substrate so that the conductive patterns are interleaved but do not come into contact with each other. The sensor substrate is wound around part of the casing and is thereby fixed. A pressure-sensitive conductive rubber member is arranged to cover the sensor substrate. A protective grip is provided to cover these portions. Accordingly, a sensor which senses finger contact or a pressure applied by a finger is formed. When a finger presses the protective grip, a circuit on a control substrate detects a change in the relationship between the conductive patterns between which continuity is established by the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber member. The detection is transmitted as operation information to a digitizer by exchanging electromagnetic waves with the digitizer.

Abstract: A display interface is adapted for use in a computer to control display of images by a monitor, and includes a first basic input/output system (BIOS) that is capable of being upgraded, a second BIOS that is maintained in an original version, and a switch unit associated operably with the first and second BIOS and capable of switching from a first state, where the first BIOS is selected for use when the computer is activated, and a second state, where the second BIOS is selected for use when the computer is activated.

Abstract: Sensed image data are stored in a memory. Image data of a plurality of images associated with each other out of the stored image data are detected on the basis of a predetermined condition. The image data of the plurality of detected images are processed into image data of a predetermined display size. The same portion of the processed image data is extracted from each of the plurality of images. The extracted portions of the image data of the plurality of images are displayed on the same screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a display apparatus, comprised of: a display portion 11 consisting of a plurality of light-emitting elements (11a) equipped on a substrate so as to form a display region in a predetermined shape; a drive portion (12) that makes each light-emitting element illuminate; a control portion (13) that controls the drive portion; a power supply portion (16) that supplies electric power to the drive portion and the control portion; and a switch portion (17) with the function of turning on and off the power from the power supply portion to the drive portion, and to the control portion, based on operation instructions: having a semi-translucent cover (11c) of ample size to encompass the entire display region of the display portion; having the light-emitting elements of the display portion arranged in such a way that the light can be brightened gradually from one end of the display region toward the other end thereof, either by the increasing intensity of light emission or by the increasing dens

Abstract: A display apparatus having a high voltage FBT driving circuit includes a transformer having a primary and a secondary coil, a high voltage detector to detect an output voltage of the secondary coil, a high voltage compensator to output a high voltage compensating signal based on the detected voltage, a DC voltage controller to adjust a DC voltage according to the high voltage compensating signal and to output the adjusted DC voltage to the primary coil, a horizontal deflector to generate a horizontal deflecting pulse based on the DC voltage, a turns ratio adjuster to adjust a turns ratio of the primary and secondary coils, and a controller to control the turns ratio adjuster so as to make the output DC voltage higher than a lower limit when the frequency of a received horizontal synchronous signal is lower than a predetermined reference level.

Abstract: A flat panel display (10) and a method of adjusting display characteristics of a display screen (300) of the flat panel display is the subject of the present invention. The flat panel display includes a power switch button (101) and several function buttons (102), all of which are positioned and functions at a side of the display screen. The flat panel display provides “On Screen Display” (OSD) software. When the OSD software is driven, indicating symbols (302) indicating the positions of the function buttons are displayed on the display screen along with a main menu (301), so that a user can adjust the display characteristics of the display screen easily.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a power supply comprising a commercial AC power supplying part, a transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil and supplying an AC voltage to driving circuits, and a feedback voltage sensing part sensing a load of the secondary coil. The power supply further includes a power mode information part outputting information for determining a normal mode or a power saving mode according to an input of a synchronous signal. The power supply also includes a power driving part including a power driver generating a power regulating signal according to a synchronous signal on the basis of a feedback voltage sensed by the feedback voltage sensing part at the normal mode, and an idle power driver generating a power saving voltage on the basis of a synchronous signal which is made by synthesizing different frequency signals at the power saving mode; an idle switching part turning on/off the idle power driver.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting an edge of a three-dimensional image. A scan-line approximation unit creates an approximated quadratic curve with regard to each scan-line corresponding to each surface of the three-dimensional image by scanning the three-dimensional image in several directions of a row, a column and both diagonal lines. A curvature value calculation unit calculates approximated curvature values with regard to each division point regarded as different surfaces of the three-dimensional image on the quadratic curve. An edge decision unit decides an edge by comparing the calculated curvature values of the division points with a threshold. According to the above apparatus and the method for detecting the edge of the three-dimensional image, both a jump edge and a crease edge can be detected through one threshold.

Abstract: A method of garment fitting, selection and creation is provided. The invention provides for the scanning of an individual to provide a photo-realistic virtual 3-D image of the individual in a physically simulated 3-D garment and provides for the use of measurements of the individual to intelligently recommend garments, produce patterns for custom made garments, provide alteration suggestions to fit a garment to the particular individual. The measurements and the photo-realistic 3-D information is stored so that an individual does not need to re-input information or undergo multiple scans, and can shop from home using the previously obtained information profile. Measurements and suggestions can be used by the individual or automatically sent to a manufacturer, dressmaker or tailor for the creation or alteration of a garment to achieve a correct fit for the individual.

Abstract: Object encoding and decoding methods that encode and decode a surface of an object are provided. The method uses a distance function defined on the surface of the object. In particular, when the object is represented by a polygon mesh, the function outputs a graph distance from a base vertex in the polygon mesh to a specific vertex. The surface of the object is then decomposed into a plurality of shape components on the basis of the graph distance. The shape components are then encoded. The encoded data can include a description indicating that the object is a non-manifold if the shape represented by the polygon mesh is a non-manifold.

Abstract: A programmable hardware per-pixel shading device for use in real-time 3D graphics applications containing additional asynchronous hardware units to assist in real-time per-pixel lighting. The standard programmable shading unit contains hardware for execution of a user-defined sequence of texture lookup and color blend operations. Programmable shader is assisted by a Vector Generation Unit responsible for generating normalized shading vectors and providing said vectors for use within said programmable shading unit. One or more Vector Shading Units operate in parallel with the programmable shading unit providing hardware accelerated lighting/color calculations and making results available for use in the programmable shading unit.

Abstract: A system and process for replacing unwanted geometry (for example, tracking markers) in a recorded scene with new geometry. A 3-D matchmove process creates a 3-D map. The 3-D map is used to determine the 3-D coordinates of objects within the recorded scene. The 3-D coordinates of the tracking markers (and/or other objects) and the replacement portions are converted by a conversion means to 2D screen space coordinates of pixels that make up both the tracking markers (and/or other objects) and the replacement portions. A list comprising the 2D screen space pixel coordinates is then exported from the conversion means into a compositing application which reads the list of 2D pixel coordinates and makes the desired replacement automatically from frame-to-frame. Tracking markers (and/or other unwanted objects) are replaced with replacement portions with suitable characteristics.

Abstract: A method use on a computer having a graphical operating environment is provided for displaying the content items of a container. The method includes enumerating the items that exist within the container or folder and determining whether a graphical preview can be generated for the item. If so, the item is added to a list of candidates as preview items for the container or folder. The items are then evaluated, and a desired number are chosen for display based upon a sort criteria. Prior to being displayed, the graphical preview for each item is sized and is located on the background image. The above method results in a container having graphical or pictorial indicia of the container contents on the outside thereof. These indicia allow a computer user to more readily determine the contents of the container or folder without having to open the container or folder.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prepare information that is defined by a search query and the act of collecting and analyzing the information for a specific purpose, and to provide new information collection and analysis means for the management of knowledge. An information processing system includes: a data knowledge request processor and a data knowledge request log, for obtaining a log for operations performed during information processing; a knowledge search processor, for setting, as nodes on a graph, the operations of the log obtained by the data knowledge request processor and the data knowledge request log, and for connecting the nodes with arcs in the order of the performance of the operations to prepare a graph that represents a transient condition wherein the operations are shifted; and a knowledge synthesis/display processor, for visually presenting the graph prepared by the knowledge search processor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, selecting a screen region on a screen of a monitor of a computer graphics display system to activate in rendering a straight line segment. Steps of aligning a rectangular grid to screen region boundaries, wherein the screen includes a screen space divided into at least one screen region, locating a first and second endpoints of the straight line segment on the screen space, defining a rectangular bounding box in the screen space having vertices at the first and second endpoints, identifying each screen region that at least partially overlaps the bounding box, and selecting each identified screen region through which the straight line segment passes to activate for rendering the straight line segment on the screen are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, selecting a pixel in a screen region on a screen of a monitor of a computer graphics display system to activate in rendering a straight line segment by a rasterizer assigned to the screen region. Steps of aligning a rectangular grid to pixel boundaries, wherein the screen comprises a screen space divided into at least one screen region, wherein the screen region comprises multiple pixels, identifying each pixel in the screen region through which the straight line segment passes, and selecting each identified pixel to activate for rendering the straight line segment on the screen when the straight line segment passes through a diamond shaped area of the pixel whose boundary is defined by the lower, upper, left, and right pixel grid mid-points are disclosed.

Abstract: Character data to be displayed is obtained. The obtained character data is boldfaced by increasing a character line width of the obtained character data in a first direction by an amount corresponding to at least a width of a light-emitting element. A boldfaced character is displayed on a display screen in accordance with data derived from the boldfaced character data. In boldfacing the character data, a character line width-increasing pattern is selected in accordance with a degree to which the luminous intensity of the light-emitting elements contributes. In particular, the step of increasing the character line width in order to boldface the character data avoids a pattern in which a B-light (blue) emitting element is located at a next-to-endmost inner position of the increased character line width. A light-emitting pattern is selected in order to eliminate an isolated sub-pixel spot, which otherwise would objectionably be visible in the boldfaced character.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for animation of an object. The invention includes communication destination matrixes used for project source and destination vertex arrays of, source and destination objects from an original space to an ortho-normal space. At a receiver (200), a control system (210) transforms zero-mean of source and destination vertex arrays using, respectively, the source and destination projection matrixes. Control system (210) computes an interim vertex array in the ortho-normal space based on a linear interpolation of the transformed source and destination vertex arrays, and an interim projection matrix based on a linear interpolation of the source and destination projection matrixes. Control system (210) transforms the interim vertex array from the ortho-normal space to the original space based on the interim projection matrix. A display (250) displays an interim object based on the interim vertex array in an animation of the object.

Abstract: A multiple-level graphics processing system and method (e.g., of an operating system) for providing improved graphics output including, for example, smooth animation. One such multiple-level graphics processing system comprises two components, including a tick-on-demand or slow-tick high-level component, and a fast-tick (e.g., at the graphics hardware frame refresh rate) low-level component. In general, the high-level, less frequent component performs computationally intensive aspects of updating animation parameters and traversing scene data structures, in order to pass simplified data structures to the low-level component. The low-level component operates at a higher frequency, such as the frame refresh rate of the graphics subsystem, to process the data structures into constant output data for the graphics subsystem. The low-level processing includes interpolating any parameter intervals as necessary to obtain instantaneous values to render the scene for each frame of animation.

Abstract: An intelligent caching data structure and mechanisms for storing visual information via objects and data representing graphics information. The data structure is generally associated with mechanisms that intelligently control how the visual information therein is populated and used. The cache data structure can be traversed for direct rendering, or traversed for pre-processing the visual information into an instruction stream for another entity. Much of the data typically has no external reference to it, thereby enabling more of the information stored in the data structure to be processed to conserve resources. A transaction/batching-like model for updating the data structure enables external modifications to the data structure without interrupting reading from the data structure, and such that changes received are atomically implemented. A method and mechanism are provided to call back to an application program in order to create or re-create portions of the data structure as needed, to conserve resources.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for displaying graphics. In one arrangement, the method can comprise the steps of receiving an identification of graphical data representing the graphic, and facilitating transmission of the graphical data representing the graphic to the electrical device such that the electrical device can display the graphic. In another arrangement, the method can comprise the steps of receiving graphical data from a computing device, receiving an indication as to how the graphic is to be displayed, and displaying the graphic according to the received indication.

Abstract: A graphics system and method for rendering image on a display device. The graphics system receives 3D graphics data including vertices for a triangle. The triangle is tested to determine if it is larger than a maximum triangle size, and if so, it is fragmented into sub-triangles smaller than the maximum size. After this size limiting, a bin bounding box is computed for each triangle. The absolute coordinate of a triangle's vertices are converted into relative coordinates with respect to an origin (e.g. a corner) of the bin box. Succeeding rendering computations (e.g. computations to determine whether sample positions fall interior to the triangle or to interpolate ordinate values for the interior samples) are performed using the relative coordinates. The positions of samples are also represented in relative coordinates (with respect to the bin box origin).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for eliminating an afterimage while displaying the same image continuously are provided. The afterimage elimination apparatus includes: a display unit for displaying an input image signal; and a controller for moving a display position of the image based on pre-determined movement range information if the controller judges that the image displayed on the display unit continues to be displayed for a certain period of time. The movement range information is within the values that do not allow a user to recognize the movement of the image visibly, and includes a movement direction and a movement amount. Therefore, even though the same image is displayed on a display panel for a certain period of time, an afterimage can be prevented.

Abstract: There are provided a drawing device and an information processing apparatus which are capable of reading out texture data from a memory at a high speed. A storage circuit stores respective information items of each of texture pixels constituting the texture data and at least one texture pixel in a vicinity of the each of the texture pixels, in a continuously-accessible region thereof. An address calculation circuit calculates, based on texture coordinates corresponding to each pixel of the polygons, an address where a corresponding set of the information items are stored. A readout circuit reads out the corresponding set of the information items from the address calculated by the address calculation circuit. A synthesis circuit synthesizes the corresponding set of the information items read out by the readout circuit. A drawing circuit draws, based on texture pixel information synthesized by the synthesis circuit, a corresponding pixel of the polygons.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing bit rates by replacing original texture in a video sequence with synthesized texture. Reducing the bit rate of the video sequence begins by identifying and removing selected texture from frames in a video sequence. The removed texture is analyzed to generate texture parameters. New texture is synthesized using the texture parameters in combination with a set of constraints. Then, the newly synthesized texture is mapped back into the frames of the video sequence from which the original texture was removed. The resulting frames are then encoded. The bit rate of the video sequence with the synthesized texture is less than the bit rate of the video sequence with the original texture. Also, the ability of a decoder to decode the new video sequence is not compromised because no assumptions are made about the texture synthesis capabilities of the decoder.

Abstract: A method for reducing dynamic false contour in a plasma display panel (PDP) comprising the steps of selecting gray scales of different visual concentration series from all of gray scales available to be shown on said PDP to form a visual concentration conversion table, selecting at least one of said visual concentration series as a virtual visual concentration series, and converting original input value of gray scale of each discharge unit into corresponding gray scales of different visual concentration series and virtual visual concentration series, while showing each field of a dynamic image on said PDP, in order to average visual concentration difference between gray scales of two adjacent discharge units on the dynamic field into a smaller one.

Abstract: The analysis and evaluation techniques of a gamut mapping technique, which can reflect the determination result of the quality of gamut mapping in the gamut mapping technique, are demanded. Hence, a color distribution information file and image file are loaded, initial 3D object data is generated based on color distribution data, and initial image object data is generated based on image data. The image object data and 3D object data are displayed on a monitor. When the user inputs a message, a process corresponding to the input message is executed, and the updated image object data and 3D object data are displayed on the monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scaling display for displaying an input signal are disclosed, the method and apparatus particularly being useful for displaying return-to-zero signals. The technique includes a first step of sampling the signal. The sampled signal is searched for a zero space pattern. Then, a first zero space is located and a second zero space, following the first zero space, is located. A bit period of the input signal is calculated. Finally, the input signal is displayed using the calculated bit period as the basis for a scale.

Abstract: A method for displaying an image is provided in which an optimal lighting pattern is selected so as to reduce pseudo contours and flickers. In an image display for reproducing halftones by a subframe technique, a frame is converted into plural subframes. For each of pixels of a display screen, the lighting pattern that is a combination of on and off of the subframes are determined in accordance with a frame data value of the noted pixel, a lighting pattern of the noted pixel in the past frame and the lighting pattern determined for the peripheral pixel located in the vicinity of the noted pixel and having the same display color as the noted pixel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for compensating image blocking artifacts are capable of eliminating image blocking artifacts occurring in consecutively input image signals, in advance. The apparatus for compensating image blocking artifacts has a video signal comparing unit for comparing gradation values of video signals which are consecutively input at a predetermined time interval, the video signal comparing unit determining if the difference between the gradation values meets a certain condition, as the image blocking artifacts occur in the consecutively input video signals; and an operation processing unit for removing the image blocking artifacts by adding/subtracting the gradation values of the input video signals when it is determined that the image blocking artifacts occur. By eliminating the image blocking artifacts occurring in the consecutively input image signals, the image blocking artifact compensating apparatus can provide a clearer video on the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: When a user performs a specified operation, a resolution changing unit 22 changes display resolution of a display device 10, allowing the size of texts and images, which are displayed inside of a window, to be increased or decreased at a touch. In order not to maintain the position and size of a window in the display area before and after changing display resolution, an unchanged information acquisition unit 21 acquires the position and size of the window before changing resolution, and then a window display changing unit 23 performs window display processing using the acquired information. In addition, the resolution of texts and images displayed inside of a window is changed with change of display resolution.

Abstract: A graphical user interface is disclosed for use with an appliance network. To improve understanding of the network, the interface includes a metaphorical representation of a connected appliance that is animated to metaphorically simulate an activity related to the appliance.

Abstract: A system and user friendly display interface supports creation and modification of a flexible and comprehensive organization structure model able to support provision of clinical care, patient tracking, billing and administration. A method provides a user interface for maintaining organization related information in support of organization operation. The method involves receiving search criteria for use in identifying organization characteristic information. The search criteria is employed in searching a profile comprising information identifying an encompassing organization structure including information identifying multiple constituent organizations and associated organization type and user determinable organization role. Search result information is processed in providing organization characteristic information suitable for presentation to a user via a displayed image in response to user command.

Abstract: A device supporting a user interface includes a feedback module for presenting information related to a data structure and a processor for controlling the feedback module and the data structure. The device also has a detector for determining handedness of a user, allowing modification of the displayed data structure based on handedness of a user.

Abstract: A data processing system for connection to a network utilizing a guidance diagram overlay on a network page with selectable options associated with input controller keys to facilitate network navigation and a method for rendering a guidance diagram overlay on a network page.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that assist media players in rendering different media types. In some embodiments, a unified rendering area is provided and managed such that multiple different media types are rendered by the media player in the same user interface area. This unified rendering area thus permits different media types to be presented to a user in an integrated and organized manner. An underlying object model promotes the unified rendering area by providing a base rendering object that has properties that are shared among the different media types. Object sub-classes are provided and are each associated with a different media type, and have properties that extend the shared properties of the base rendering object. In addition, an inventive approach to visualizations is presented that provides better synchronization between a visualization and its associated audio stream.

Abstract: A TV card for a computer, comprising a TV signal receiving part receiving a TV signal; a TV signal processing part processing the TV signal from the TV signal receiving part; a TV encoder converting a video signal outputted from the TV signal processing part into a TV video signal suitable for display, and directly transmitting the converted video signal to an output part of a TV; a control program storage part storing a control program controlling the TV signal received from the TV signal receiving part to be displayed on the TV through the TV signal processing part and the TV encoder; and a control part controlling the TV signal to be displayed on the TV through the TV signal processing part and the TV encoder on the basis of the control program when electric power is supplied thereto. With this configuration, it is possible not only to watch TV without booting the computer system but also to work with the computer system while watching TV.

Abstract: In a system that includes a processor and a display device on which video programming can be displayed, a method for transitioning to a video advertisement by displaying a related banner advertisement. The method includes generating, on the display device, a display screen on which a video advertisement is to be displayed, the display screen being generated at a time before a time at which the video advertisement is available to be displayed. A banner advertisement is displayed on the display screen at a region that coincides with a region where the video advertisement is to be displayed. The banner advertisement can have a subject matter that is related to that of the video advertisement or alternatively have any subject matter. When the video advertisement becomes available to be displayed, the method can include replacing the banner advertisement with the video advertisement.

Abstract: A technique for creating polyphonic audio signals of telecommunication devices such that the technique may be performed quickly without a user needing music theory knowledge. A midi-composer application includes a graphical user interface for assisting a user in creating the polyphonic audio signal. The graphical user interface includes at least one track for receiving placement of at least one music block and a plurality of bars within the at least one track for relating the at least one music block with a selected time period. The at least one music block includes at least one type of music block representing an audio loop or sample.

Abstract: A system for generating sets of configuration data comprises an administrator interface allowing an administrator to enter configuration parameters for a generalised configuration and to define user specific configuration parameters necessary for the generation of a complete set of configuration data The entered configuration parameters are stored together with information identifying the user's specific configuration parameters. A user interface is provided allowing the user to enter the user specific configuration parameters. A configuration generator generates a set of configuration data using the stored configuration parameters and the users specific configuration parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a system and method for developing content using a graphical user interface that allows a developer to view a preview image during the development process. The content may be developed according to a content format that is associated with one or more content features, such as, product images, product description text, pricing information text, availability information text, and the like. In particular embodiments, the graphical user interface may have a development pane in which the developer selects from existing content pieces or enters new content pieces to associate with content features. As the content pieces are associated with the content features for the selected content format, the content pieces may be displayed in the preview image, which may appear in a separate preview pane.

Abstract: There are provided technologies relating to a method for display of contents by which a screen saver function can easily be realized, using WEB browsers in a user terminal for display of a screen saver; even during access to other WEB sites, advertising display may be realized by automatic switching when there is no input to the user terminal in predetermined time; and screen savers, advertisements, and so on, which lead to increased opportunities for advertising display, are displayed.

Abstract: A note taking program is provided which allows a user to take notes on an electronic note card from content being read. The note card includes a list of keywords, a list of links to related material, and a field of associated material in addition to a note text field. The note cards are contained in groups, and each group of note cards can contain note card stacks. The program allows for searching of the note cards and displaying of the note cards in various different formats to facilitate review and organization of the note cards. Additionally, note cards can be enabled to be viewed as flashcards.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for the collaboration of participants is disclosed. The participants are located within an area and the graphical user interface is generated on a display of an electronic device. The graphical user interface comprises an area representation and at least one participant representation generated on the display. The participant representation allows a viewer of the display to quickly identify the participants in the area, as well as see information about each one. Furthermore, the graphical user interface may include information representations which allow a viewer to access information associated therewith.

Abstract: The social communicative activity is getting involved with internet technology more frequently. People are chatting, playing games and working over the internet. In order to introduce persons being part of one communicative environment to each other a method of exchanging messages is provided that displays a first graphical representation of a first person; displays a second graphical representation of a second person (408); presents a first introduction message (402) to the first person; the message introducing the second person to the first person; and presents a second introduction message to the second person; the message introducing the first person to the second person.

Abstract: A system and method for associating a block diagram with a user interface element. A block diagram associated with a user interface element may include graphical code, i.e., a plurality of interconnected nodes, for controlling functionality of the user interface element. For example, when the user provides user input to a user interface control, a block diagram associated with the control may receive the user input and may respond to the user input. As another example, in response to a user interface indicator receiving data for display, a block diagram associated with the indicator may receive the data and process it, e.g., to control how the data is displayed.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for positioning a graphical component in a computer-implemented drawing program. A selection of a graphical component displayed on a display device is received. Thereafter, a first feature of the graphical component is inferred. The display of the graphical component is moved (e.g., by a user using a cursor control device). Underlying geometry is then analyzed to determine one or more second features of the underlying geometry that can mate with the first feature. Feedback is then displayed that indicates placement potential for the graphical component based on the first feature mating with one of the second features.

Abstract: A pointing device operable with a computer system having a graphical user interface. The pointing device includes a unique identifier that is associated with the pointing device, wherein a theme of the graphical user interface is automatically changed in accordance with the unique identifier. The theme may be a desktop theme. The unique identifier may also initiate a security protocol.