Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of removing a user's personal information from a document via activation of a “privacy option.” The privacy option, when activated, removes personal information from a document and, in some case, replaces the user information with generic information. The present invention is also directed to a computing system with an application module, which contains a privacy option for removing one or more pieces of personal information from a document created by a software application usable on the computing system. The present invention is further directed to a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of modifying one or more pieces of personal information associated with a document via a privacy option.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a graphical user interface, including methods and apparatus for configuring and implementing such an interface. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a graphical user interface comprising a main window including a navigation viewport and a data viewport, the navigation viewport arranged to display navigation selectable elements and the data viewport arranged to display information associated with an application associated with one or more of the navigation selectable elements. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of configuring a graphical user interface based upon user or device information. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of controlling the navigation of the graphical user interface based upon user or device information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the graphical user interface is associated with a gaming system which includes at least one gaming device.

Abstract: A highly-configurable process control system that uses process records in a database system to track a process. The database system relates process records, users, and projects. User permissions to view the process records include permissions for all process records related to a project to which the user is related, all such records that the user has created, all such records that a group the user belongs to have created, all such records that have been assigned to the user, and all such records that belong to an entity to which the user is related. The process records further include user-configurable fields. User permissions for the fields are provided according to group types which are related to groups to which the users belong. Included are permissions for inserting and deleting values in the user-configurable fields which are separate from the permission to edit the values.

Abstract: A communication device is connected with a wide area network (WAN) and a local area network (LAN) and includes a recording unit that performs predetermined processing in accordance with a request, that comes in through the WAN or the LAN. A controller of a communication module of the communication device determines whether a request came in through the WAN or the LAN. When the request comes in through the WAN, the controller demands an acceptance/rejection determination as to the performance of the request from a user of the communication device. When the performance of the requested operation is accepted, the controller performs the processing according to the request that came in through the WAN.

Abstract: Improved graphical user interfaces suitable for restricting the availability of media items and/or podcasts are also disclosed. The graphical user interfaces are particularly useful for a system that provides purchase and distribution of media in a client-server environment.

Abstract: A method of printing includes providing a computer server linked to a plurality of printers, initiating a print job on a user computer device, querying the computer server for one or more available printers; transmitting identification information and location information of each printer from the computer server to the user computer device; displaying the information in the form of a list to the user computer device; selecting by a user one of the printers in the list; transmitting the selection to the computer server; transmitting configuration information for the selected printer to the user computer device; configuring the print data by with the configuration information; and transmitting the configured print data from the user computer device to the selected printer for printing.

Abstract: A method for managing and displaying related information in a graphical user interface includes storing each of a plurality of related datasets in a discrete file. A compound file is stored linking the discrete data files to each other. A common window for the combined file is displayed in the graphical user interface. A discrete window for each discrete file is displayed within the common window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer management method. This method involves responding to a “get web page” request by generating a web page with graphic representation of computer system objects and embedded script-based context-sensitive menu control. Once the web page is displayed, the method provides for responding to selection of one of said graphic representations by activating and inactiving menu items in accordance with properties of said objects embedded in said web page with said objects under control of said script-based context-sensitive menu control.

Abstract: A report card provides a supervisor or master account holder (e.g., a parent) with information about the activities of an individual or sub-account user (e.g., a child). For example, the report card may include a list of sites (e.g., content identifiers and/or uniform resource locators) that an individual has visited or attempted to visit. Other information (e.g., e-mail and address book activity and instant messaging and contact list activity) also may be provided in addition to tools that allow the master account holder to access information about the activities and to adjust parental controls for the activities.

Abstract: An interactive promotion platform for supplying a call center agent with promotional incentive information to provide to a customer. The interactive promotion platform includes a promotion database having a promotional incentive index into which a promoting entity inputs one or more promotional incentives for inclusion in the promotional incentive index. A promotion allocation dashboard displays to an allocator the promotional incentive index and enables the allocator to designate at least one promotional incentive from in the promotional incentive index and allocate the designated promotional incentive to one or more call center agents. A computer network including a network link connects the call center agent to the interactive promotion platform and provides substantially real time updated information on the designated promotional incentive to the call center agent.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for communicating with a management apparatus for storing a plurality of electronic prepaid information and authentication information related to the plurality of electronic prepaid information, and replaying to inquiry request for electronic prepaid information based on authentication information through a portable communication terminal storing authentication information.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting process control information to a portable communication device associate a resource link with the process control information and transmit the process control information and the resource link to the portable communication device. A session identifier is associated with the process control information and the session identifier and the resource link are transmitted to the portable communication device. A message and the resource link associated with the process control information are provided at the portable communication device. A user selects the resource link to initiate a communication link between the portable communication device and a wireless communication service. The portable communication device may receive one of video information, audio information, still image information, and software application information in response to initiation of the communication link between the wireless communication service and the portable communication device.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of appending a group of files to files on a clipboard of a desktop are provided. The system, apparatus and method include displaying a first window having an option that allows a group of files to be appended to files on the clipboard and asserting the option to append the files. The first window is ordinarily displayed after at least one file has been copied onto the clipboard and a second file is selected to be copied. In the case where at least one file has not already been copied onto the clipboard, a second window is displayed. The second window has an option that allows only one file or group of files to be copied onto the clipboard. The first window further contains an option that allows a file or a group of files to replace file or files already copied on the clipboard.

Abstract: A configurable search engine is provided in which, in an embodiment, by running the search engine an administrator can configure the search options available to a user by selecting from a choice of options without writing code. The user may be able to further configure the search options. In an embodiment, the search engine combines searches of multiple tables in a manner that appears seamless to the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a service providing system in which it is determined whether users have use authority to utilize a service providing apparatus, such as a projector, so that only users having the use authority can utilize the service providing apparatus. The invention also provides a service providing system and a service providing apparatus. In accordance with the invention, users are allowed to have use authority to utilize the service providing apparatus through entrance into an arbitrary place, or the like so that the service providing apparatus can be conveniently utilized.

Abstract: The management apparatus of web servers of the present invention monitors occurrence of link breakage set by requesting to other sites. For this purpose, log information resulting from an access from an external web site to HTTP contents is acquired from the web server. Then, refer information is generated by extracting the linking relationship with the external web site to the web page from the thus acquired log information. Furthermore, upon update of the HTTP contents, the possibility of occurrence of link breakage caused by page deletion is recognized with reference to refer information, and warning is issued.

Abstract: A method for managing visibility of GUI components in an application includes initializing the application and invoking a visibility manager. A user interface of the application is then displayed wherein display of the GUI components are determined by the visibility manager.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for receiving an indication of an email being generated for at least one recipient. The email is analyzed to determine if the email includes at least one link to a piece of content on a remote content resource. If the email includes at least one link to a piece of content on a remote content resource, the at least one recipient is analyzed to determine if the at least one recipient has sufficient rights to access the piece of content on the remote content resource.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a social network site with enhanced user interaction functionality. In particular implementations, a method includes accessing a list of contacts that are connected to an owner of a personal page of a social network; identifying one or more contact pairs from the list, wherein the contacts in each contact pair are not connected to each other; computing an affinity score for each identified contact pair; randomly selecting one or more of the contact pairs based on corresponding affinity scores; providing a friend connector user interface module to the owner of the personal page, wherein the friend connector user interface prompts the owner to invite the contacts of the selected contact pair to establish a connection association relative to the social network; and conditionally transmitting an invitation to the contacts of the contact pair based on one or more actions of the owner relative to the friend connector interface.

Abstract: The conventional method of limiting the number of receiving apparatus has a problem that if the limited number of appliances is reduced to limit distribution to unspecified appliances outside a home, distribution to appliances in the home is limited unnecessarily. If the limited number of appliances is increased, distribution to appliances outside the home cannot be sufficiently limited. The invention provides at least one receiving apparatus, (e.g., digital television sets and PCs,) connected to a network and capable of receiving and using predetermined data, and a transmitting apparatus, (e.g., an AV server) for transmitting the data to the receiving apparatus via the network. Use of the data on the network is managed based on the transmission time required for transmission of predetermined information between the transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus.

Abstract: An implementation for a user at a receiving Web station keeping track of logged on Web sites, and a convenient universal logoff interface button to logoff the logged on Web site. The combination of an implementation at a receiving display station generating a GUI including a universal logout button, means associated with said logout button for enabling a user to select a Web site for logout and means at said receiving station responsive to said selection of a Web site for logging said receiving station out of said Web site. The Web browser tracks the Web sites that the user is logged onto, and upon interactive request by the user a menu of logged on Web sites is provided in association with the displayed logoff button.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical apparatus for diagnosis and/or treatment using a procedure (20), with an operating console (11) to control the use of components of the procedure (20), the operating console (11) having an input device (22), an output device (27) and an assistance module (26) to assist the user, which can be adapted to users' varying levels of training. This enables the user interfaces of the operating console to be adapted to the varying levels of knowledge of the medical operating personnel, so that the user in question is offered only those commands, with corresponding additional information, which the user has for example already learned during training.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to display representations of modifications to a knowledge entity that is stored in a knowledge base. The method includes displaying in a first GUI area a representation of a first modification that was previously applied to the knowledge entity, displaying in the first GUI area a representation of a first version of a second modification that was previously applied to the knowledge entity, and receiving user input specifying a change to the first version of the second modification. The method further includes displaying in the first GUI area a representation of a second version of the second modification that is based upon the specified change, and applying the second version of the second modification to the knowledge entity.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a remote control session (RCS) during which control of input mechanisms of authorized users for manipulating a shared computer screen is time-sliced among the authorized users. No more than one authorized user has control of the input mechanisms at each time during the RCS. Each authorized user is able to view the shared portion of the computer screen throughout the RCS and has been assigned a priority, a control time slice (CTS), and an inactivity threshold. Sole control of the input mechanisms is provided to a first authorized user who requested control of the input mechanisms. Sole control of the input mechanisms is transferred from the first authorized user to a second authorized user who requested control of the input mechanisms. The first and second authorized user are each scheduled to have sole control of the input mechanisms for a specified time duration.

Abstract: A method of customising an animation. A broadcast station renders first animated objects in response to locked graphic data and unlocked metadata. The metadata facilitates customisation, by including parameter interface information as well as actual parameter values, so that the first animation objects can be customised without reference to the locked graphic data. A distribution station receives signals from the broadcaster, and cumulatively renders second animated objects in response to second locked graphic data and second unlocked metadata, the latter of which is modified in response to distributor data. A television receives signals from the distributor, and cumulatively renders third animated objects in response to third locked graphic data and third unlocked metadata, which is modified in response to viewer data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the ability of scripts to access objects defined at the client. The client stores an access control data structure having multiple entries. Each entry is associated with one or more objects for which access is to be controlled. The entries include a source identifier field containing one or more URLs and a permission identifier field containing data defining a permission. When the client receives a script from a script source, such as a web site, the client begins execution of the script until the script requests access to an object. The client identifies a relevant entry of the access control data structure, which is an entry that is associated with the requested object and lists the URL of the script source in the source identifier field. The client applies the permission defined by the permission identifier of the relevant entry to the request, thereby granting or denying access to the script.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for providing content-owner control in a device is optionally networked. A method for accessing media content has steps of initiating a first view providing access to at least a portion of a first content within the first view, initiating a second view providing access to a second content within the second view and preventing the second content from being accessed with the first content in the first view. Additionally, access to a third content with the first content is allowed in the first view. An apparatus includes a first view configured to provide access to a first content, a second view configured to provide access to a second content, and a graphical subsystem configured to prevent the second content from being access in the first view. In one variation, the first view is a media content view, and the second view is a web view.

Abstract: A value chain flow diagram expresses the flow of money, things, claims, persons, information, services, values or the like related to the lifecycle of products (planning, designing, manufacturing, distribution, sale, use, disposal) which are generated among enterprises, departments of an enterprise, clients, users, stockholders, authentication organizations or regional inhabitants. In the product value chain flow diagram, individual components such as the enterprises, the departments of the enterprise, the clients, the users, the stockholders, the authentication organization or the regional inhabitants are expressed by block shapes such as boxes and circles and the flow of the money, the things, the claims, the persons, the information, the services, the values or the like is expressed by specific symbols or linear or curved arrows labeled with icons. Further, the components which are expressed by blocks are connected with each other.

Abstract: A collaboration system synchronizes an application or applications running on one or more computer systems. Each of the applications has a local data copy and the applications commence operation by creating consistent local copies from a common third copy. The consistency is maintained by distributing address space independent selections and commands to each application as they are entered at a controlling system. The selections and commands are generated by directly manipulating a presentation of each local data copy. When a selection and command arrive at a destination, the selection is used to find and selection the data and the command is applied to the data located by the selection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for warning of a presence of a person in a zone having an inadequate security clearance. Movement of the person in the zone is detected. A message is broadcast to selected data processing systems associated with the zone, wherein the data processing systems initiate actions to protect data in the selected data processing systems.

Abstract: When a user or a portable device enters work space, the user or the portable device entering the work space is detected by reading of an ID tag, and a connection interface public server for managing connection interfaces of computational resources which these user and portable device have and a coordination server for performing coupling processing are notified. The coordination server acquires the connection interfaces corresponding to the computational resources of the entering user or the portable device from the public server and couples these and thereby, it is constructed so that linkage between the computational resources shareable in the work space can be performed to make use.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing apparatus for switching a first session and a second session in executing processing, the apparatus comprising: storage controlling means which, if a first module belonging to a group is activated in the first session, then stores correspondence between the first session and the group; and activation controlling means which, if a second module belonging to the group is activated in the second session, then stops activation of the second module based on the stored correspondence between the first session and the group.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a rule to respond dynamically to requests for one or more resources on a network include providing, to a resource administrator, an interface for specifying the rule. The interface includes a first presentation area that displays data defining request information items associated with a request for the resource. The interface also includes a second presentation area that displays data defining access information items used to cause a server to respond to the request. The interface also includes a first input area for receiving commands from the resource administrator for deriving a value for at least one of the access information items. Code, which can be executed to apply the rule specified in the interface, is automatically generated. The code is automatically retrieved and executed when a request is received with a particular value for at least one particular request information item.

Abstract: Method and computer program product for displaying user participation in a Web application. At least one predetermined rule is established for a plurality of user participation levels based upon an amount of at least one parameter of activity on a Web application server. An amount of the at least one parameter of activity that is attributable to a particular registered user is measured and the at least one predetermined rule is applied to the measured amount of the at least one parameter to determine a current participation level for the registered user. The registered user is then provided with a graphical user interface that displays the current participation level of the registered user in relation to the plurality of participation levels. Optionally, the user interface is persistent and provides the registered user with instructions on reaching the next participation level and information about benefits available at that level.

Abstract: A system, method and software permitting the publication of resource availability information and the management of reservation requests therefor are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a resource provider provides authorization, availability, descriptive, linking and criteria information for a resource available for reservation presented on a publicly accessible web site. Users permitted to access to the data can browse and search the published resource related data and request appointments with or reservations of the listed resources. Resource providers are permitted to actively or automatically manage reservations and appointments requesting their resources. Available on a publicly accessible web site, resource providers may also control and define access limitations for various groups of viewers.

Abstract: A method for the editing of web pages by selectively providing editing logic and data that associates portions of the page with data sources used to provide the portions. Identical pages are provided to both editors and non-editors, preferably by retrieving and viewing the page in a browser. The editor can use the editing logic to edit the displayed page. The invention uses the associating data in order to update data sources used to provide the web page in accordance with the edits. The use of associating data by the invention supports functionality that allows for updating of a wide variety of data sources with potentially complex relations to the provided web page.

Abstract: A user can perform secure transactions via an interactive television ticker. While viewing an advertisement scrolling in the ticker, the user can select that advertisement to initiate an on-line transaction. That resulting transaction can be performed within the ticker. A visual indicator (such as an icon) can be displayed in the ticker to indicate to the viewer that the transaction is secure, so as to allow confidential information to be safely exchanged. Security can be provided by way of a security application integrated with software of the ticker or by way of another security component with which the ticker software communicates.

Abstract: A method and system of providing access privileges to records of members of a community may comprise storing an assignment of a member of a community to a first position in the community to generate a first relationship. Access privileges to records of the member may be automatically provided to a manager of the first position based on the first relationship. An additional assignment of the member to a second position in the community may be stored to generate a second relationship. During the pendency of the additional assignment, a manager of the second position may be automatically provided with disparate access privileges to records of the member based on the second relationship.

Abstract: The invention relates to the synchronized playback of video and/or audio recordings in terminals of a communications network. A server stores recordings including timing markers, each of which indicates an internal position within the recording. The system comprises groups of user terminals, at least one channel being assigned to each group. A recording is transmitted to the terminals belonging to the same group and stored there. In response to a start command, the playback of the recording is started at each terminal. Status information indicating at least the playback position of the recording is maintained, and the playback is controlled by transmitting new status information to the terminals of the group. The playback status is changed at each terminal according to said new status information.

Abstract: A system facilitates the secure access, transfer and update of patient record information and the creation and navigation of image menus supporting the location and access of desired patient record data by a user. A system provides a user interface for use by a portable processing device for accessing and navigating patient record information. The system receives user identification information for use in authorizing user operation of the portable processing device and initiates display of an image including a plurality of links to a corresponding plurality of individual patients. The system also initiates display of a patient record content index image including a plurality of links to a corresponding plurality of items of patient record information in response to user selection of a link to one of the plurality of individual patients.

Abstract: A method includes storing a plurality of role data entries on a storage device coupled to a computer system, each role data entry corresponding to an assigned role of at least one of a plurality of individuals, each role corresponding to an enterprise with which the individual is associated and corresponding to a set of resources accessible through the computer system, receiving at the computer a resource request from one of the individuals, determining whether the requested resource is included in the set of accessible resources corresponding to the assigned role of the requesting individual, and selectively permitting access to the requested resource if the resource is determined to be in the set of resources corresponding to the assigned role of the requesting individual.

Abstract: Methods and systems for server visualization and control are provided. In various embodiments, multiple clients connect to a server to receive various services from service providers, including financial services. When a client connects to a server, it provides authentication credentials to the server. The server, upon authenticating the client, may provide a set of additional credentials relating to service providers. These additional credentials may be used to receive services from the service providers. The client may connect to the services through a server visualization and control library resident on a server that provides a layer between clients and services such that an application developer who is developing a service may not need to be aware that multiple clients may connect to the service or that the service may be instantiated multiple times.

Abstract: A graphical user interface supports an interactive client-server authentication based on Random Partial Pattern Recognition algorithm (RPPR). In RPPR, an ordered set of data fields is stored for a client to be authenticated in secure memory on the server side. A graphical user interface presents a clue generated at the server to the client, such positions in the ordered set of a random subset of data fields from the ordered set. The client enters input data in multiple fields of the interface according to the clue, and the server accepts the input data from the client. The input data includes storage units representing alpha-numeric characters, images and colors corresponding to the field contents for the data fields. The interface includes indicators for elapsed time and status of the authentication session.

Abstract: The invention provides a service providing system in which it is determined whether users have use authority to utilize a service providing apparatus, such as a projector, so that only users having the use authority can utilize the service providing apparatus. The invention also provides a service providing system and a service providing apparatus. In accordance with the invention, users are allowed to have use authority to utilize the service providing apparatus through entrance into an arbitrary place, or the like so that the service providing apparatus can be conveniently utilized.

Abstract: A system and method for managing data resources includes a policy definition layer, a policy deployment layer and a policy execution layer. The policy definition layer provides for creating, editing and visualizing policies through a user interface using intuitive simple language constructs. The policy deployment layer converts the created policies into a relational format that can be directly stored in a policy database. The policy execution layer executes the deployed policies on occurrence of an event. A resource abstraction and notification layer provides the interfacing of the resources with the policy definition layer, policy deployment layer and the policy execution layer.

Abstract: A system for generating a requisition comprises a client computer system and a server computer system connected via a network. The client computer is configured to allow a plurality of users to access the server computer system. The system further includes a server application comprising a user interface running on the server computer system and having a multi-tier architecture. The multi-tier architecture includes a first tier of client application code for initiating processing by the server application in response to input by a user of the client computer system, a middle tier of object-oriented server application code, and a third tier of shared access and data code. An application programming interface is configured to allow a user, such as a system administrator or the like, to customize the user interface. In a further aspect, a method of customizing a server application is also provided.

Abstract: A user of an instant messaging system may store names of other users of the instant messaging system on a participant list (which may be referred to as a “buddy list”), and the names may be categorized into one or more groups. Similarly, a user of a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, may store contact information about people on the mobile device. Information describing the on-line presence of the user within the instant messaging system or geographic location of a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone associated with the user system, may be disseminated to users on the participant list or people on the contact list based on notification information that is associated with groups of users or contacts. A delegation model is used to control whether a user is permitted to make modifications to the notification information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and schema are provided for enforcing security on an attribute of an object. An instance of an object is created or modified using the schema where a number of the attributes for the object include descriptors. The attributes of the created or modified object are checked to ensure that the modifier has access rights to the attributes. If the modifier does not have the access rights, then values are not assigned to the attributes requested by the modifier. When the modifier provides values for an attribute having the corresponding descriptor, the values are also checked to determine if they are references to a second object. In which case, a check is made to ensure the modifier has an access right to the second object. If no such access right exists, then the values are not assigned to the attribute as originally requested by the modifier.

Abstract: A method and a device for menu-assisted operator control, in particular for motor vehicles, using a multifunctional operator control, includes a multifunctional display device and a processing device which controls the display build-up of the multifunctional display device and which is able to access electronic devices to be operated and/or controlled. Assisted operator control of the electronic devices is provided in that, at least within one selection menu that is able to be displayed on the multifunctional display device, functions of one or more of the electronic devices are grouped by related objects and are displayed as object icons on the multifunctional display device.

Abstract: The Brain system employs a graphical user interface to facilitate user interaction with highly flexible, associative “matrices” that enable users to conveniently organize digitally-stored “thoughts” (inter-related information) and their network of inter-relationships. The Brain system offers a solution that facilitates the capture of information from a company's repositories and showcases it in an engaging and dynamic visual interface. The Brain accomplishes this by providing a connector system that serves as an interface between the Brain server and whatever repositories are employed to store data. By use of a special type of connector, the Brain can permit a single user to collaborate with a number of different repositories at different locations and of different sorts under a single associative interface. A client can also interface directly with multiple data stores that are configured for interaction with the associative interface described herein.