Abstract: A user interface within a presentation program manages hierarchical relationships. A master view includes a thumbnail view that shows the hierarchical relationship between slide masters and layouts used within the presentation. In one example, the thumbnail view is a series of thumbnail tree-controls where each slide master is the top node of the tree control and the layouts are the children of the slide master. A user may copy, move, delete, and edit slide masters, layouts, and slides using the user interface. A contextual representation of slide master and layout commands may be shown in the same overall user interface space.

Abstract: In a data processing apparatus which outputs image data of respective pages included in display data respectively to plural display apparatuses and causes the plural display apparatuses to respectively display the output image data, page designation data for sequentially displaying each page in the plural pages included in the display data respectively on the plural display apparatuses in response to an instruction of a next operation issued from a user is created, and, based on the created page designation data, the image data of the each page in the plural pages included in the display data are output respectively to the plural display apparatuses each time the instruction of the next operation is issued from the user.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for generating a geographically based slideshow of a user's digital media items such as photos or videos. A slideshow framework receives user-specified digital images, ordering them according to time of capture, organizing the ordered images into groups, each group corresponding to a different geographical region, and generating a slideshow of the user-specified images using maps of the different geo-graphical regions and visual transitions between the different geographical regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide a markup language based file format for storing authoring tool content are shown. The markup language based file format of embodiments provides an aggregated content object containing various assets. A container structure is preferably provided for a plurality of assets comprising the aggregated content object. The assets of embodiments of the present invention include different types of assets, including content assets which contain content and packaging assets which contain aggregated content object information. Content assets may comprise various types or forms of media, such as graphics, video, audio, text, etc. Packaging assets may be in a markup language format, such as may be utilized to provide robust information regarding the aggregated content object and assets thereof. The markup language based file format of embodiments of the invention facilitates access to all or portions of the aggregated content by various authoring tools.

Abstract: A technique for enabling scenario files and image files for supply to a scenario generating device to be created easily is provided. The scenario creating device creates a scenario file supplied to a scenario reproducing device capable of reproducing only image files of a predetermined format. The scenario creating device comprises: an input section including a pointing device; a display section; and a scenario creating section for creating the scenario file. The scenario creating section provides a display of an execution icon on the display screen for causing the scenario creating section to execute a process. When a file icon for a source file of a predetermined format including pagewise scenario information and image information is dragged and dropped on the execution icon by means of operation of the pointing device, a scenario file is created on the basis of the scenario information, and an image file of the predetermined format is generated on the basis of the image information.

Abstract: A software interface to increase the efficiency for reading, abstracting of information and locating material within an electron publication, pursuant to which author content and/or researcher content may be quickly searched, accessed and stored on an academic tool utilizing e-book technology. Topic mapping tools may be further used to enhance searching to link and cross reference terminology. For example, such tools are described in ISO/IEC 13250:2000 and more recently extended into XML format in XTM specifications. W3C® standards, such as DAML+OIL and topic map standards as well as functionally similar standards may also be utilized.

Abstract: A hosted system provides any Internet user with the ability to quickly set up and customize a video channel, preferably as a web page or site that can be reached from any Internet-accessible device having a web browser. The solution includes tools for use by channel site creators to customize the look, feel, and page design. A particular web page or site may be associated with a given subject. As used herein, a page or site that has such an association is sometimes referred to as “subject-specific.” Once a subject-specific channel is created, a site administrator or individual visitors can search across the web and choose to bring those search results into the channel architecture. The system also enables a multiplatform search as an integrated part of a library build; if desired, search results are automatically populated into the channel content. The system also enables the characterization of the material returned, preferably according to a user-generated taxonomy.

Abstract: In order to facilitate rendering of scenery elements in a role playing game, or in any other virtual universe (also known as a metaverse), there is provided a scenery container together with a play manager which cooperatively interact to achieve the loading, saving and storage of sets of scenery elements. Renderings are thus carried out more quickly and efficiently and with easier efforts on the part of the users.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques that employ user-defined values of properties of sections of an electronic presentation. As described herein, a user may configure a presentation to include a plurality of sections. Each of the sections includes zero or more slides of the electronic slide presentation. In addition to the slides associated with each section, each of the sections is associated with one or more properties having values that can be defined by an author of the presentation. Because the values of the properties of the sections are user-definable, these properties may, in some implementations of these techniques, enable the author of the presentation to use the sections in ways not possible in presentation applications that merely use sections as a means of grouping thumbnail images of slides for navigation among slides in an authoring interface.

Abstract: Video, stills, panorama, sound and all forms of media as Rich Media in a Multimedia Vehicle Repository (MVR) file editable with a Rich Media Content description file. The Rich Media Content description file enables users to specify a vocabulary that defines the media elements and relations among the media elements thereby permitting the users to easily create and edit the Rich Media Content and compose various raw or compressed Rich Media components using any text editor. A multimedia authoring server side processor accepts the raw formatted Rich Media Content along with description text file in XML format and outputs the Rich Media, text and graphic components as an edited MVR file in accordance with user's design for execution on a multimedia player.

Abstract: A method and system for creating at least one presentation, comprising: at least one computer; at least one application operable on the at least one computer, the at least one application configured for: receiving a plurality of assets; and allowing at least one user to define the at least one presentation over the time that the at least one presentation is to be displayed, using at least two assets to be simultaneously presented for at least one selected point in time.

Abstract: A method and system for automated accessibility checking of Web pages. The method includes the step of accessing a Web page using a parser to generate data corresponding to the components of the Web page. The data is analyzed using an analysis engine to determine compliance of the components of the Web page with a set of accessibility standards. The results of the analysis performed by the analysis engine are subsequently stored. The results are then provided to indicate a degree of compliance with the set of accessibility standards. The method for automated accessibility checking can be implemented as a hosted application residing on a network connected server.

Abstract: In the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided for reproducing multimedia files, wherein the selection probability of the multimedia files is adjusted according to a user's preference and a multimedia file is randomly selected and played according to the selection probability. The selection probability of the multimedia files is adjusted according to the user's preference; a user can listen to undesired multimedia files less frequently than other multimedia files even when the multimedia files are randomly selected.

Abstract: An N-level inheritance model is provided to develop presentations. A hierarchical inheritance model includes master slides, custom layout slides, and slides including the material for the presentation. The inheritance model allows presentation authors to both define an overall look for the presentation as well as the ability to customize slide layouts individually. An author may create custom layouts that may be applied to a single slide as well as a set of slides. Properties that are defined at any level within the hierarchy may be inherited by the lower levels within the hierarchy. Each level within the presentation may also make an exception to an inherited property.

Abstract: A computer-implemented knowledge acquisition system which enables user to easily create and share electronic study material is disclosed. The system includes a content creation module which can be configured to receive question data and answer data input by a first user and create a package content file using the input data. The content creation module includes a multimedia library from which images, video, and audio can be selected for inclusion in the package content file. The system also has a package distribution module which allows users to send the package content files to one or more users using a variety of transferring techniques.

Abstract: A presentation state that includes a presentation and other information is synchronized between one or more client computers executing a presentation client application. A client computer executing the presentation client application receives the presentation state, including the presentation, and is assigned a role. The client computer then provides a user interface (“UI”) for viewing and interacting with the presentation that is based upon the assigned role. The role might be a projector role, a presenter role, an attendee role, a moderator role, a notetaker role, or another type of role. The UI might also be customized for the particular type of client computer that it is displayed upon.

Abstract: A courtesy announcement system and method for broadcasting messages audially and visually having a central database server connected to operator workstation computers. Announcements stored and maintained in the database server can be accessed, viewed, modified, and replayed by any of a plurality of operators located at the workstation computers. Operators receive and construct announcements to be broadcast using announcement templates and the broadcasts can be multi-lingual even if the operator is not multi-lingual. Announcement templates includes pre-translated variables, and optional announcement delivery settings permit the operator to conduct the destination of the announcements, when the announcement should be broadcast, and start times for broadcast, among other settings.

Abstract: Notes and other input may be entered directly onto computer based content. The notes may be taken on a portable computing device that contains metadata from the computer based content. The metadata and input are stored and once the portable computing device is in communication with the second computing device displaying the computer based content, the input is displayed near the computer based content that was displayed at the time the input was created.

Abstract: A method for defining a composite web page is disclosed which includes identifying a web page referencing at least one associated element. The method further includes analyzing the web page to determine a list of the associated elements and presenting the list to a user. A user selection of one or more associated elements from the list is received and registered for later retrieval. A method for presenting a composite web page is also disclosed. Systems and computer-readable storage media for defining and presenting a composite web page are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of retrieving information (10) associated with an object (12) present in a media stream (14). The method includes the steps of accessing the information (10) during playback of the media stream (14) on any device and defining user-selectable regions (18) in a layer (20) separate from the media stream (14). The layer (20) is preferably a clear applet for receiving and storing the user-selectable regions (18). The defining of the user-selectable region (18) is performed without editing individual frames of the media stream (14). A link (34) is associated between the user-selectable region (18) and the information (10) associated with the object (12) to identify the location where information (10) associated with the object (12) is stored. In operation, the layer (20) is disposed adjacent the media stream (14) without interfering with playback of the media stream (14) in the player.

Abstract: A method for arranging a set of graphic assemblies within an area includes establishing a candidate tree associated with the set of graphic assemblies; determining if the candidate tree is a feasible candidate tree; and in response to the candidate tree being a feasible candidate tree, arranging the set of graphic assemblies within the area in accordance with the candidate tree.

Abstract: A display apparatus which has a display unit includes: a communication unit which communicates with an external source supplying a image signal including a plurality of still images; an image processor which processes the image signal; and a controller which controls the image processor to perform a slide show function sequentially displaying the supplied still images on the display unit in every predetermined display cycle if the still images are supplied from the external source.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing a non-linear presentation canvas. A non-linear presentation canvas is provided. The non-linear presentation canvas is a virtual space onto which multimedia files and hyperlinks can be inserted. A content preview for one or more of the multimedia files and hyperlinks inserted onto the non-linear presentation canvas is displayed. The content preview is selectable to display the corresponding multimedia files and hyperlinks during a presentation.

Abstract: Identity plates are described, including importing identity data into an application, the identity data being used to configure one or more identity elements, configuring an identity plate using the one or more identity elements, and presenting the identity plate within an interface associated with the application, the identity plate being configured to display the one or more identity elements in one or more associated positions configured to receive the one or more identity elements.

Abstract: Automated methods are used to augment an original script of a time-based media program that contains speech with timing metadata and an indication of a confidence level with which script portions are matched with the speech in the program audio track. An editor uses a spot dialog editor tool to produce a word-accurate spot dialog master by reviewing and editing script portions displayed next to the corresponding portions of the time-based media. The spot dialog editor tool selects for review and editing the parts of the script having a low confidence match with the speech in the program.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing the spatial coordinates and visual attributes of objects within a user interface (UI). A Web UI ruler is executed within a UI comprising a plurality of objects. A first object and second object are selected. The Web UI Ruler then collects the spatial coordinate and visual attribute values for the first and second object and their relationship values are determined. The spatial coordinate and visual attribute values for the first and second objects, along with their corresponding relationship values, are modified and the modifications are applied to the target objects. The values are then stored in the Web UI ruler. These values can then be subsequently applied to one or more target objects. Alternatively, the stored values are exported as a cascading style sheet (CSS) class, which can then likewise be subsequently applied to one or more target objects.

Abstract: A BD-ROM has recorded therein an AV Clip generated by multiplexing a video stream and a graphics stream. The graphics stream represents an interactive display to be overlayed with the video stream, and includes a sequence of three Button State groups. The interactive display includes a plurality of buttons, each of which changes from a normal state to a selected state, and from the selected state to an active state, according to a user operation. In the three Button State groups in the graphics stream, the first-order group (N-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent normal states of the buttons, the second-order group (S-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent selected states of the buttons, and the third-order group (A-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent active states of the buttons.

Abstract: A personalized slide show generation system is comprised of a script generator and a personalized slide show generation engine. The script generator is configured for employing a user interaction associated with an image to generate an interaction script. The personalized slideshow generation engine is coupled to the script generator and configured for utilizing the image and the interaction script to generate a personalized slide show.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a standardized schema that can be used by site developers to define a site map and its associated hierarchy. In at least some embodiments, a corresponding user interface can be created within an application such as, for example, a Web browser, to allow the user to specify locations at which they wish to see the site map.

Abstract: A system for selecting, managing, sharing and displaying content data files in a manner that takes into the account the contextual significance of said content data files to a narrative, an author(s) and an audience. A system that is able to place an absolute and relative value upon the significance of a media object is able to assist in stimulating the recollection of the author and audience, thus making every aspect more memorable and enhancing by improving the ease of use and the quality of the final result of the use of the system of this invention.

Abstract: A method, system and device are provided for facilitating interacting with and management of a presentation involving one or more elements, such as, for example text, sound, pictures, graphics, video or combinations of these elements. The system, method and device provide a simple yet powerful and intuitive way for presenters to interact with and manage their presentations in multiple ways directly on an easy to see screen positioned in front of them using the icon based buttons positioned outside of the interactive display area. The system, method and device further are configured to provide interactive inputs which may become part of a presentation and saved.

Abstract: A display system and display control method for displaying an image based upon image data supplied from an image supply device or external storage unit. Information indicating whether editing of image data is allowed or not is appended to an image, the information is discriminated and display areas of images corresponding to the image data are displayed on a screen upon making the display areas appear different from each other in accordance with the information discriminated.

Abstract: A system and a method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users on user display devices using a controlling computer. The controlling computers controls the forwarding of the compilation to the plurality of users over the communication network in accordance with a predetermined user sequence. Each of the users have the ability to add an image to the compilation and/or information with respect to the images in the compilation and each of the subsequent users are able to view the compilation of images and/or data provided in association with the images.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for organizing, storing, retrieving and displaying spatially related images where such images may also be relatable within time or image modality parameters. The system includes a dynamically manipulable user interface capable of visually depicting one or more images in a registerable manner, and also depicting the orientation of the image or images in relation to the surrounding neighborhood. The inventive system provides for display of panoramic image sequences consisting of multiple rows with multiple images per row, or image sequences consisting of only a single image. In a preferred embodiment, images taken from the same perspective at different times can be overlaid, and the user manipulates the display to perform real-time compare and contrast between images. In an alternate embodiment, the registered images include those created by means of different imaging modes or modalities such as, for example, visible light images and thermographic images.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically modifying a media presentation is disclosed. A first presentation theme associated with a media presentation is determined. A plurality of multi-media data files are accessed, wherein each of the plurality of multi-media data files comprises associated metadata. A first of the plurality of multi-media data files are associated with the first presentation theme based on the associated metadata and the first of the plurality of multi-media data files is presented.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating and implementing dynamic surveys, in which a subsequent query is presented based at least in part on a selected response option of a previous query. For example, a system may include presentation logic configured to display a plurality of queries, each query being associated with a plurality of response options. Sequence logic of the system may be configured to display a graphical sequence controller in association with each of the plurality of response options, and to receive a graphical manipulation of the graphical sequence controllers by which a sequence is designated for presenting a subsequent query based on a selected response option of a previous query. Thus, during implementation of the resulting dynamic survey, the subsequent query may be presented based on the selected response option.

Abstract: An interactive storybook system and method are provided that allow a user with or without the assistance of an operator to make a storybook their own by replacing markers with their own selection from a listing of provisional words and provisional images. The computer-based interactive storybook application may be used by teachers, parents, therapists, and other adults for teaching or therapy applications which assist children in learning and growing.

Abstract: An information processor for information registration, capturing means captures a graphics processing command, and database registering means registers, as information about completed work in the database, information about a series of graphics processing commands concerning completed works out of the captured graphics processing commands. In an information processor for information retrieval, proceeding work detecting means detects a work in progress as a proceeding work based on the captured graphics processing command, and information acquiring means searches a database for the information about the work in progress which has been done before based on the graphics processing command concerning the proceeding work and acquires the information about the work in progress which has been done before.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, playing and modifying slide shows utilizes a graphic play area for sequentially displaying slides of slide shows. The graphic play area is configured to automatically add one or more objects placed in the graphic play area when a slide is displayed in the graphic play area such that the graphic objects are appended to that slide. Thus, the system and method allows a user to easily modify a slide show by simply placing one or more graphic objects, such as text, onto a slide currently being displayed in the graphic play area.

Abstract: A system includes a memory, a display, and a processor programmed to load a configuration program and an intelligent agenda program into the memory. The intelligent agenda program is adapted to interface with a slide presentation program and respond to a plurality of user inputs to a graphical user interface of the configuration program to create an intelligent agenda. The intelligent agenda is modified when the user selects the first display option to display only the title in the outline corresponding to the currently displayed slide, a preceding title located immediately before the title, and a following title located immediately after the title. The intelligent agenda is further modified when the user selects the second display option to limit a number of displayed lines of the outline to a line limitation.

Abstract: A system and a method for the creation and customization of interactivity are described. An interactivity builder is provided that includes a Interaction Model Selector Module, an interactivity editor, and an Interaction Model Library comprising Interaction Models. An interaction model selector is also provided that accesses to the available Interaction Models. A user is allowed to select an Interaction Model from the Interaction Model Library through the Interaction Model Selector and the Interaction Model Selector accepts the user-selected interaction model and copies it to create an interactivity that can be any time modified by the interactivity editor according to input received from the user. Interactivity thus created can be used in training modules. The invention could also be used equally well in other applications, such as, for instance, websites, presentations, electronic documents, online advertising, e-commerce and more such applications.

Abstract: A BD-ROM has recorded therein an AV Clip generated by multiplexing a video stream and a graphics stream. The graphics stream represents an interactive display to be overlayed with the video stream, and includes a sequence of three Button State groups. The interactive display includes a plurality of buttons, each of which changes from a normal state to a selected state, and from the selected state to an active state, according to a user operation. In the three Button State groups in the graphics stream, the first-order group (N-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent normal states of the buttons, the second-order group (S-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent selected states of the buttons, and the third-order group (A-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent active states of the buttons.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for automatically selecting images, from among multiple images, for sequential display, comprising: establishing a total time for a sequential display of a set of selected images; clustering images into groups; ordering the images based on image quality; and selecting at least one of the images within a selected group based on the image quality and total time for inclusion in the set of selected images.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. The invention also features a haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.

Abstract: A method, graphical interface and computer-readable medium for forming a batch job includes selecting at least one input file to reformat in the batch job. A batch job tree is formed for constructing a batch job with each of the input files being associated to a corresponding branch of the batch job tree. At least one reformatting process is associated with each of the input files on each branch of the batch job tree. A graphical interface for configuring a batch job includes a first interface pane for displaying and enabling selection of at least one input file, a second interface pane configured for interactively configuring a batch job tree representative of the batch job, and a third interface pane for associating at least one reformatting process to each input file.

Abstract: An interactive Internet-based system and method provides a number of components that can be used to provide interactivity, including chat, polling, and trivia functionalities, particularly for use in enhancing other events, such as television programs.

Abstract: An electronic display page may be displayed on an electronic display and electronic input elements may be displayed on the electronic display. If there are additional input elements, the additional electronic input elements may be accepted from an electronic input device for the electronic presentation and the additional electronic input elements may be added to the existing electronic input elements. The new electronic display page may be added to the electronic display page to create a sequence of electronic display pages, and the sequence of electronic display pages may be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to display a matrix plane on which a time axis and an axis of applicable levels corresponding to a predetermined keyword cross each other, arrange and display identifiers indicating scenes obtained by dividing a moving image file into predetermined segments on the matrix plane and decide, when the positions of the identifiers arranged on the matrix plane are moved to desired positions, the applicable levels corresponding to the positions of the identifiers arranged on the matrix plane as the applicable levels of the scene corresponding to the identifiers. This makes it possible to improve the operability of assignment of keywords and applicable levels to a picture scene and visually check the situation of assignment of the keywords and applicable levels.

Abstract: A computer readable medium storing a media editing application for creating media presentations is described. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI has (1) a presentation display area for displaying a composite presentation that the application creates by compositing several media clips, (2) a composite display area for displaying a set of graphical representations that represent a set of committed media clips that are committed to be a part of the composite presentation, (3) several selectable location markers that are associated with several locations in the composite display area, and (4) an audition display area associated with each location marker for receiving and displaying one or more candidate media clips for adding to the composite presentation at the location of the associated location marker.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a media editing application that allows a user to focus on a subset of media clips that the application combines to create a composite presentation. The media editing application of some embodiments includes a display area for displaying the composite presentation that the application creates by compositing several media clips (e.g., audio clip, video clip). The multimedia editing application of some embodiments also includes a composite display area (e.g., an area with multiple tracks that span a timeline) for displaying graphical clips representations of media clips that are part of the composite presentation.