Abstract: A computer readable medium (CRM) storing a media editing application providing a consolidated editing tool is described. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI has a display area for displaying a composite presentation that the application creates by compositing a plurality of media clips, a composite display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are part of the composite presentation, and a consolidated editing tool that provides several user-selectable editing operations within the composite display area. In some embodiments, the consolidated editing tool automatically presents an associated editing operation for selection and activation based on the cursor location within the composite display area.

Abstract: Media timeline interaction may be provided. An electronic presentation may comprise a media object. A user may select the media object within a presentation application and use an on-object user interface in conjunction with the application's user interface to modify the media object. The user may also display the modified media object within the presentation application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a universal timeline application that may be used to effectively manage the access and display of content related to multiple aspects of a production. The universal timeline application provides an interface presenting users with a visualization of all the different data elements of a production, represented in an intuitive, easily navigable, three-dimensional display. Icons representing data elements may be plotted on a three dimensional grid, wherein each axis of the grid represents a different dimension of the data elements. Metadata defined for a given data element specifies a location on the three dimensional grid to plot the given data element.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a user interface design for telecommunication systems. In a particular embodiment, the user interface includes a first level interface organized by data communications network technology area and a second level interface grouped by operational function. The first level interface identifies a plurality of different data communications network technologies. Each of a plurality of operational functions identified by the second level interface includes a summary view and a detailed functional view. Each summary view is organized as a drill down view based on a set of view detail levels.

Abstract: The invention allows for a first set of persons to create and modify templates that contain visual effects, synchronization information, and possibly director assistance. These templates are utilized by a second set of persons to generate personalized motion photo videos from photographs, video segments, personal narratives or animation. Motion photo videos are a novel because they very quickly and inexpensively allow (1) persons to create and modify templates which are synchronized to music and may be easily populated with content by others, and (2) persons to select a song and associated pre-made template and create a high-quality synchronized custom video using hand-selected visual material to populate the template with included direction and without any required editing. Populated material in template can be further modified by additional persons instantly generate new, modified motion photo videos.

Abstract: A system for displaying slides of a presentation includes an editor module configured to generate a slide for the presentation based at least on content defined by a user. The system further includes a display module configured to generate display data for the presentation. The display data represents the slide of the presentation. The system further includes a user interface module configured to receive a selection of a portion of the slide based at least on a detected movement of a user input device across the slide. The display module is configured to enlarge the selected portion of the slide on the display in response to at least the movement of the user input device across the slide.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a reference image extracting section for extracting a reference image as an object for display; a parameter managing section for managing a plurality of parameters and their values for the extracted reference image; a parameter setting section for selecting any two arbitrary parameters and setting the selected parameters as scales for the vertical axis and horizontal axis; a peripheral image preparing section for preparing peripheral images each obtained by changing the values of the two parameters selected for the reference image by a specified amount; and an image display controller for providing display controls by correlating parameter values of peripheral images to those for the vertical axis and horizontal axis of the reference image so that the reference image is displayed at a specified position of a screen and also peripheral images thereof are displayed surrounding the reference image in n layers.

Abstract: A software program for creating features for use with a plurality of media objects in a sequence. The program comprises a feature component specifying a feature having parameters affecting at least one variable aspect of the feature. An indicator component identifies a position of the specified feature relative to the media objects in the sequence. The program comprises a sequence generator for modifying the specified feature by varying its parameters of the specified feature as a function of the position of the specified feature relative to the media objects and/or relative to other features in the sequence. The sequence generator also modifies the specified feature by varying its parameters of the feature as a function of the content of the media objects around it or to which it has been applied. A rendering component renders the specified feature according to the varied parameters at the identified position.

Abstract: A system in accordance with the present invention may include one or more processors, memory that receives instructions from the one or more processors according to a clock operating at a frequency, one or more programs stored in the memory, with instructions to: define a layer, wherein the layer comprises one or more effects; associate media content with the layer; aggregate the layer with one or more other layers; and, assemble the aggregated layers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for authoring media presentations is provided. The method includes steps for defining a style. The style comprises one or more style properties. The style is applied to a layer. The layer comprises one or more effects. The style may also be applied to a document, effect container, effect, or slide. A media presentation is automatically generated using the applied style and the layer. A media presentation is also automatically generated using the applied style and the document and at least one of the layer, the effect container, the effect, and the slide.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for capturing and enhancing illustrating pane content for use as sequential slides in a presentation includes illustrating a static image on an illustrating pane in a plurality of colors. Each color used to illustrate the static image representing a single element of the static image. The method further includes digitally capturing a single finished image of the illustrated static image and enhancing the background, geometry and colors comprising the finished image. The single finished image is separated into a plurality of single color images with each single color image comprising only a portion of the single finished image comprising that specific color. A ordered presentation is built from the single colored images and the presentation is displayed.

Abstract: A system displays a set of content slides on a graphical user interface. The system identifies navigation paths between content slides in the set of content slides, each navigation path indicating a destination content slide to be displayed after a source content slide upon user selection of a navigation choice during a presentation sequence of the content slides. For each identified navigation path, the system displays a visualization of that navigation path on the graphical user interface between the source content slide and the destination content slide associated with that navigation path. The system allows a user of the graphical user interface to alter a navigation path between content slides to change the association of that navigation path between at least one of the source content slide and the destination content slide to modify the presentation sequence of the content slides.

Abstract: A live presentation may be prepared and displayed by providing a primary scripting room for preparing a presentation script and a control computer in the primary scripting computer for use by a control operator to view and/or edit possible contributions to the presentation script and for saving the presentation script being preparing. At least one remote scripting room may be connected to the primary scripting room by network to form a virtual scripting room therewith. A remote computer may provided in the remote scripting room for operation by a contributor to provide possible contributions to the presentation script viewable by the remote operator. At least portions of the saved scripted presentation may be presented on a display computer as the live presentation.

Abstract: A method, system and software program on a computer readable medium are provided, for generating a template compatible with Microsoft Silverlight. An authoring application can be used that provides access to a Microsoft PowerPoint slide, permitting objects to be added to the slide. The authoring application also permits properties of the objects to be defined and then converts the objects to a format associated with Silverlight (XAML) to generate a template, and generates metadata defining the properties for application of the properties to said template.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating non-linear viewing of media is provided. The system facilitates non-linear viewing of media by providing a scene selector that scans a digitized media and selects a scene in the digitized media and a metadata generator that produces metadata associated with the scenes and relates the metadata to the selected scene. With the scenes annotated with metadata, a playlist generator can generate a playlist of related scenes based on user inputs like queries and a playlist updater can adapt the playlist based on user reaction to the displayed scenes. The scenes can be displayed on a variety of devices exhibiting various levels of intelligence. The displays can be distributed as can the system.

Abstract: An online presentation authoring method includes allowing a primary author to perform a primary set of tasks concerning at least a primary portion of an online presentation, and requesting that a guest author perform a secondary set of tasks concerning a secondary portion of the online presentation.

Abstract: A computer-based narration assembly system and method provide an environment analogous to in-person sharing of photographs by utilizing spontaneous verbal narration or story-telling, together with manual indications by the story-teller of significant or relevant image portions. The system combines the verbal narration with automatic cinematic display manipulations that relate to the manual indications by the story-teller to form a multimedia production or “movie” from the display images. The cinematic display manipulations may include pans, zooms, fades, etc. that animate the display of the images and transitions between them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display method. The display method includes displaying a labeled column chart on a graphical user interface, where the column chart having a plurality of labels. The display method further includes entering a first modification of one of the labels via a graphical user interface by a user and starting execution of labeling instructions that implement a labeling algorithm for generating a first modified labeled column chart in response to the entry of the first modification. The first modified labeled column chart is displayed.

Abstract: A method for dynamically constructing a web page is disclosed which includes receiving a uniform resource locator identifying a web page. The web page references a plurality of elements. The method also includes receiving a user identifier representing a user and evaluating each of the referenced elements based on the user identifier to identify a subset of at least one element the user is authorized to access. The method further includes determining a data conversion specification associated with the user and determining a data representation specification associated with the user. The subset of elements that the user is authorized to access is converted and presented to the user. Systems and computer-readable storage media for defining and presenting a composite web page are also disclosed.

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: Systems, methods, and software applications for managing slide presentation content are described in the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, among many, a computer readable medium is configured to store instructions that are executable by a processing device. The computer readable medium comprises logic adapted to disassemble a plurality of slide presentations into a plurality of individual files, wherein each individual file corresponds to a single slide of a respective slide presentation. The computer readable medium also includes logic adapted to extract information from each slide and logic adapted to compare the extracted information from each slide and consolidate groups of slides that are substantially similar.

Abstract: A slide contents processor has a computer, a percentage computer and a categorizing unit. The computer computes a deviation of explanation time of each slide to total explanation time of slides. The percentage computer computes a percentage of objects in the slide based on the number of the objects by type in the slide. The categorizing unit categorizes the slide based on the deviation and the percentage.

Abstract: A preview tool for a portal can include a portal display produced from style information for the portal and a palette. The palette indicates style information related to curser positions. The style information can be a Cascading Style Sheet class.

Abstract: A system and method for improving electronic presentations is provided. The system may automatically improve an electronic presentation. An input presentation may be analyzed and various parameters may be computed. Based on text and/or other analysis, images and/or other objects may be selected to be included in a generated electronic presentation. A design scheme may be automatically selected. An improved electronic presentation may be automatically generated based on an original presentation, user selected parameters, text and/or other analysis of the original presentation and a set of rules, criteria and parameters.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a system and method of broadcasting audio and visual information to a plurality of audio reproduction devices and visual display devices utilizing a plurality of control computers linked thereto by a communications network. The invention employs a plurality of pre-recorded digital audio files and corresponding visual representation thereof to allow a user to construct message sequences for broadcast with a minimum of system input. Furthermore, a user may specify a plurality of broadcast zones to broadcast audio and visual messages.

Abstract: A system for selecting, managing, sharing and displaying content data files in a manner that takes into 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: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for creating multimedia presentations from presentation templates and/or multimedia object models. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: With a map displayed on a displaying apparatus 6, a user touches a touch panel 16 with his or her finger to draw an operation trajectory passing through his or her desired area on the map. A user's designated area is specified based on the operation trajectory. Images shot in the designated area are automatically selected to be displayed and the order of displaying the images is set in accordance with a drawing operation of the operation trajectory such that the image shot at a shooting spot closest to the start point of the operation trajectory is displayed first and the image shot at a shooting spot closest to the end point of the operation trajectory is displayed last. The image selecting operation and the image displaying order setting operation can be easily performed at the same time.

Abstract: In a method for a matching a slideshow with an audio track, a slideshow is received. The slideshow comprises a timebase defining display times for slides of the slideshow. An audio track is received. The audio track is utilized to warp the timebase such that a display time for at least one of the slides is altered to increase a correlation between the display time and an intensity of a portion of the audio track.

Abstract: An integrated and interactive real-time media creation system and method are disclosed that visually link the order and execution of media events to a scrolling on-screen text script that is spoken. As the user speaks, the on-screen text script scrolls under user control. Adjacent to the script text are visual images which represent associated media events. The visual images maintain a constant relative spatial relationship with the text. When the text reaches a predetermined region of the screen it is spoken out loud by the user and the media events are caused to occur at that time. The invention allows a single user with a single personal computer to easily self-produce a multimedia presentation of undetermined and variable length, featuring media events appropriately inserted in real-time without the assistance of a director or other operator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus, including a computer program product, implementing techniques for displaying visible representations of project objects associated with a media project, the project objects having characteristics; and in response to a user action that identifies at least one of the characteristics, altering the visible representation of at least one of the project objects based on the identified characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and conducting presentations on a surface may include an authoring mode, a preprocessing mode and a presentation mode. During an authoring mode, a user may create a surface presentation. In response to a command to play the created presentation, the system enters the preprocessing mode. During the preprocessing mode, a presentation is preprocessed and prepared for presentation. When preprocessing is complete, the presentation mode is entered. During the presentation mode, the infinite surface presentation is presented such that a user may navigate through the presentation.

Abstract: A method and a device for converting data of a first format discriminated by an identifier into picture data of a second format different from the first format. In converting the data of the first format into the picture data of the second format different from the first format, discrimination picture data for discriminating the picture data is generated, while data relevant for correlating the picture data to the discriminated picture data is also generated. If, in displaying the converted picture data, the discrimination picture data is selected, the picture data correlated to the discriminated picture data is displayed based on the data relevant for correlating the picture data to the discriminated picture data.

Abstract: A system user interface (SUI) provides an iconic, at-a-glance representation of security system status. The SUI is for use across all client types, and includes numerous display elements presented across all types of client devices used to monitor status of the security system. The display elements of the SUI include an orb icon, text summary, arm button, device and system warnings, interesting sensors, and quiet sensors. The SUI provides system status summary information (e.g., security and sensors) uniformly across all clients. The SUI provides consistent iconography, terminology, and display rules across all clients as well as consistent sensor and system detail across clients. The SUI also includes an interactive Timeline interface, a widget-based Slideshow timeline interface, and a graphical interface for managing schedules, set points, and controls for lighting and thermostats and general energy usage.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for automated creation of Virtual Worlds for Presentations and gatherings. By leveraging the ease of use of commercial presentation tools, such as PowerPoint®, inexperienced users can create fully immersive virtual worlds. Within the virtual world, the presentation information is formatted and displayed in an appropriate way to one or more simultaneous users, which may interact through their avatars in the virtual world. Provisions are included for the presenter to control the pace and display of the presentation.

Abstract: In a presentation system, a presentation program is provided to display a user interface having a presentation window. A library of presentation elements is provided. The library includes a title and a thumbnail for a presentation element. The presentation elements include templates and components. Each presentation element has an attribute that defines a logical relationship with another presentation element. From the library of presentation elements, a plurality of presentation elements is selected. The selected presentation elements are inserted into the presentation. The selected presentation elements are logically related to create the presentation by setting a value of the attribute of a selected presentation element. The logical relationships alter the output of the presentation, for example, by defining an alternate path through the presentation. Each presentation element includes a user interface for triggering the defined logical relationship.

Abstract: A storage medium to store interactive content may include at least one content unit and interactive content including story map information, the story map information selectively connecting the at least one content unit according to conditions to form a story.

Abstract: In one implementation, a computer program product, encoded on a computer-readable medium, is provided. The computer program product is operable to cause a data processing apparatus to perform operations including generating a menu screen template, the menu screen template including one or more menu elements. The computer program product also causes a data processing apparatus to perform operations including incorporating user selected media content in the menu screen template and calculating a motion path associated with one or more menu elements, the calculated motion path being automatically adjusted according to parameters of the selected media content.

Abstract: System and method for integrating media objects for viewing on and manipulation via a computing device such as a personal computer. The system and method may be provided via an application program interface (API) which provides functions that allow an application program to create a scene and add media objects to the scene. The method includes preparing a translation vector and a rotation matrix for each of the media objects to define an orientation and a location of each of the media objects in the scene. The scene including the media objects is displayed. An interface is provided so that a user may manipulate the scene and the objects therein. The system and method may be implemented on a personal computer or other computing device.

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 method for displaying a slide show containing an outline that follows the progression of the user's presentation comprising a Configuration Program (CP) and an Intelligent Agenda Program (IAP). The CP allows the user to configure the intelligent agenda of the present invention. When configuring the display options, the user can configure the expansion of the outline on the intelligent agenda, limit the number of displayed lines in the intelligent agenda, and limit the topics displayed on the intelligent agenda. The IAP runs whenever the user runs the presentation program associated with the present invention. The IAP displays the outline according to the expansion configuration and modifies the outline based on the configuration limitations defined by the user. The intelligent agenda tracks the user's progression through the presentation and indicates to the audience the contextual location of the current topic in the presentation outline.

Abstract: An information processing device is provided for processing audio data linked with predetermined image data in each of positions on a display screen which correspond to a plurality of playback times for the audio data. The device includes a function of displaying a link representing playback-time position information of image data linked with selected audio data, a function of displaying image data not linked with any audio data, on the screen, a function of permitting the user to select desired image data among the image data not linked with any audio data, a function of inserting the selected desired image data in a position which the user desires when the user selects the desired image data, and a function of calculating a playback-time position in the selected audio data corresponding to the position in which the image data is inserted, and linking the selected image data to the calculated position.

Abstract: File formats, methods, and computer program products are provided for representing a presentation in a modular content framework. The modular content framework may include a file format container associated with modular parts. A file format includes logically separate modular parts that are associated with each other by one or more relationships where each modular part is associated with a relationship type. The modular parts include a presentation part representing a start part for the presentation, a slide master part associated with the presentation part, and a slide layout part associated with the slide master part. The modular parts may also include a document properties part containing built-in properties associated with the file format, a thumbnail part containing associated thumbnails, and a slide part containing a slide in the presentation. Each modular part is capable of being interrogated separately, extracted from the presentation, and/or reused in a different presentation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for template-based multimedia capturing are described. In one aspect, a capturing template is selected to facilitate capturing a particular quantity and type(s) of media content. Media content is captured based on a temporal structure provided by the capturing template. These quantities and types of media content captured with respect to the temporal structure facilitate media content browsing, indexing, authoring, and sharing activities.

Abstract: A computer aided workstation programmed to facilitate and enhance the process for creating complex graphics and associated presentation design through the use of multiple software tools/agents in conjunction with retail presentation products. Critical branding/theme characteristics are seamlessly established during the Build process by software/program controls. A high quality, professional presentation can be achieved with minimal training or software knowledge/skill set.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a computerized method for creating and editing a multimedia item. The method provides a menu theme for a multimedia item. The menu theme includes a display section for displaying a multimedia item, an adjustable text section for displaying several selectable text options, and a special effect built into the menu theme for applying to the multimedia item. The method presents the multimedia item on display after applying the special effect to the multimedia item.

Abstract: Slide presentation files may be separated into one or more individual slide files, and the one or more individual slide files may be stored in a remote or local slide library. Stored individual slide files are populated with metadata for allowing subsequent search and location of individual slide files. A synchronization relationship may be established between a stored slide file and a copy of the stored slide file used in a slide presentation document. As updates are made to the stored slide file, a user of a copy of the stored slide file may be informed of and provided changes made to the original slide file via the synchronization relationship.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for optimally viewing a non-square aspect ratio photo or video within a non-square aspect ratio display area of a screen. In addition, a system and a method are disclosed for positioning and storing a reference point (e.g., a relative center point) of an image within a display area of a screen. Further, in a slideshow configuration, a system and a method allows for transition between images using sound annotations associates with a particular image.

Abstract: A computer displays an application user interface, the application user interface including a document authoring window and a search results window. In response to a search request including one or more user-specified search keywords, the computer displays in the search results window a set of search results in a text-only display format, wherein each search result includes a chunk within a respective document that satisfies the search keywords. In response to a user request to view a chunk, the computer launches a document display window in the application user interface and displays therein a portion of the corresponding document that includes the chunk in its native display format. In response to a user request to duplicate a segment of the corresponding document in the document authoring window, the computer generates therein an instance of the segment of the corresponding document in its native display format.

Abstract: Automated testing of active content wizards is provided. A test infrastructure (TI) accesses a list of ACW to test and controls an ACW runtime engine to execute the ACWs. During ACW execution, the TI interacts with the ACW runtime engine to inject simulated user information based upon test information stored relative to each ACW. The TI records errors generated by the ACW runtime engine as well as other errors relative to the ACW. The TI also directs cleanup of the operating environment between each ACW test. Reports of ACW failures can be provided to ACW authors and/or other interested entities for improvement.