Abstract: There is disclosed an interactive display system comprising an interactive surface for displaying an image and for receiving inputs from remote devices, the system being adapted to detect the presence of at least two remote devices proximate the interactive surface.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to the dynamic activation and deactivation of a spell check feature option for instant message chat session features within a virtual environment. As such, the spell check feature can be activated and deactivated within the virtual environment based upon the identity of an engaged party to chat session or the identities of other parties that are in proximity to the chat session parties within the virtual environment.

Abstract: Control of multiple display screens associated with a computer, wherein the auxiliary screen display content that depends on conditions of the computer. During some times the auxiliary screen displays content associated with the presently executing program, and during other times the auxiliary screen displays history information. The rules can be automatically changed or manually changed.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating visual social communication through co-browsing is provided. A social session is established and includes a plurality of Web browsers. Each Web browser is loaded with social session code, which displays a social viewport. Substantially similar portions of Web content are synchronously displayed in the social viewport of each Web browser. A social change is displayed in the social viewport of one such Web browser. The social change is partitioned into at least one social change segment Each social change segment is transmitted to each other of the Web browsers. Each social change segment is received and displayed in the other Web browsers, such that the social change is reproduced smoothly in the Web browsers as the social change is progressively created.

Abstract: A system and method for automated synchronized co-browsing is provided. A co-browse session is established and includes a plurality of Web browsers. Each Web browser is loaded with social session code, which displays a social viewport. Web content is obtained in response to a request from one such Web browser. The Web content is provided to each Web browser. Substantially similar portions of the Web content are made viewable in each social viewport by selectively resizing the social viewports of the Web browsers.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, generally, tools for navigation of tree structures. For example, a software application comprising a user interface for allowing a user to navigate a tree structure is described. The user interface comprises a graphical element including the tree structure. The tree structure comprises multiple nodes which represent a hierarchical view of data within the structure. One of the nodes is set as the active node. The computer software application also includes a storage element to store a list of previous active nodes. The graphical element is in conjunction with a first navigational element configured to step backward through the list of previous active nodes, and to set the stepped to node as the active node. The graphical element is further in conjunction with a second navigational element configured to step forward through the list of previous active nodes, and to set the stepped to node as the active node.

Abstract: An in-vehicle multiple cursor system properly provides information necessary for a user in case that the number of wirelessly connected portable devices increases to thereby cause lack of a memory space for drawing. A cursor operation for requesting a drawing occurs in a portable device. An in-vehicle navigation system thereby makes a determination as to whether or not a segmental memory space assigned to the portable device in a memory space of a drawing memory device has at least a predetermined data volume. When the determination is affirmed, necessary drawing data are read out from a resource database and forwarded to a drawing memory device of the portable device to be developed therein. A screen window is then displayed in a display unit of the portable device based on the developed drawing data.

Abstract: A slide kit creation system and method allows reviewers of a slide kit to insert non-textual comments, such as audio comments, to be associated with selected slides. In one embodiment, audio comments are transmitted to a host computer by telephone, and may be posted on the host computer for access by other reviewers. The audio comments may also be transcribed in text form. In another embodiment, comments may be associated with various portions of a video, in the same manner. A video navigation bar is coded to indicate which portions of the video are associated with comments. Alternatively, certain attributes of the video can be altered to indicate the presence of comments associated with specific scenes of the video.

Abstract: There is provided a technique concerning a preview display function used when predetermined processing is performed for predetermined data, which contribute to enhancement of user's convenience. A display controller comprises: a control section 205 that displays, based on the information acquired by the relevance information acquisition section 203, the objects to be displayed extracted by the extraction section 202 in the display area 902 and 903, such that objects to be displayed having higher relevance than those to be displayed in the area 903 are displayed in the area 902 and, at the same time, displays the target data acquired by the target data acquisition section 201 inside the area 902 ahead of execution of the predetermined processing to be performed for the target data.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for dynamically setting up collaborative associations between a group of users, computing resources, and/or communication devices, where the constituents of the collaborative association are chosen based on a variety of contextual criteria. The dynamic collaboration enabler component determines the explicit identities of the parties that should be a part of the collaboration. The group of individual entities involved in the collaboration can change dynamically during the lifetime of the collaboration, based on appropriate changes in the contextual data. Such contextual data refers to both state variables associated with the collaboration software or infrastructure itself, or to the state of entities external to the collaboration. The duration of the collaborative association is specified either explicitly or through a set of context related conditions.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple computers comprising a first host computer coupled to a first keyboard, a first cursor control device and a first display screen with a first display boundary; a second host computer coupled to a second keyboard, a second cursor control device and a second display screen with a second display boundary; and a switching unit having a switch coupled between the first host computer and the second host computer; wherein a pointer controlled by the first cursor control device is located within the first display screen with the first display boundary associated the first host computer; wherein the switching unit detects the first pointer controlled by the first cursor control device moving out of the first display boundary of the first display screen after the switch is activated, the second host computer associated with the second display screen is controlled by the first keyboard and the first cursor control device through the switching unit and the first host computer.

Abstract: A user interface that enables user perception of status regarding communications that leverage an instant messaging platform may be rendered on a display. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messages for an instant messaging user, and a status indicator that provides a perceivable indication to the user of statistics regarding concurrent instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: A pointing-control system for multipoint conferences includes a plurality of computers, a gateway, a display, a conference-control module and a pointing-control module. The computers are connected through a wired or wireless network with the gateway. The computer with the highest priority number is defined as the host computer having the right to assign any of the computers to be the report computer. The conference-control module can demonstrate a presentation frame of the report computer on the display through the gateway. The pointing-control module is used to capture pointing coordinates of pointing apparatuses of the respective computers, and further to display the pointing coordinates on the presentation frame of the display.

Abstract: A multiple cursor system includes multiple control devices for respectively controlling one of multiple cursors displayed on a display unit, a communication unit for simultaneously establishing multiple communication links with multiple control devices for data communication, a cursor operation recognition unit for recognizing a cursor operation on each of the multiple control devices when the communication links with the multiple control devices are being established, and a control unit for controlling display of the multiple cursors respectively representing the multiple control devices based on the cursor operation on each of the multiple control devices and for executing an instructed process based on an instruction in association with a position of one of the multiple cursors.

Abstract: A computer software product for allowing simultaneous multi-level collaboration, including in real time between an author and a group of reviewers invited by the author to comment on a document stored in a computer file. The computer software enables each reviewer to view the document and make changes thereto which are stored in a secondary data file without modifying the contents of the original document. The author receives and views the secondary data files from the reviewers and selectively incorporates the changes into the document. Each reviewer may invite an unlimited number of sub-reviewers to review the document, the comments of each sub-reviewer similarly being stored in a secondary data file wherein only the author may edit the document directly.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for indicating workspace awareness using one or more of a write shadow, a read shadow, and/or a shadowbar providing an indication of operations performed at associated locations by various users accessing a same document. A write shadow may be used to indicate a position in a document being modified by a user. A read shadow may be used to indicate a position being viewed by a user. A shadowbar may be used to indicate areas of overlap among users with a shading and coloring indicative of a degree of overlap.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.

Abstract: An improved method and system for manipulation a plurality of graphical pointers utilizing a single graphical pointing device are disclosed. A plurality of graphical pointers are displayed within a display device. A user may then temporarily select one graphical pointer among the plurality of graphical pointers. During the selection, the selected graphical pointer is manipulated in response to operation of a single graphical pointing device. A point within the display device specified by the position of the selected graphical pointer is selected in response to closure of a switch associated with the selected graphical pointer.

Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.

Abstract: A user interface element for manipulating Boolean expressions includes at least one tab panel element operable to define a term of a Boolean expression with each term including one or more condition statements, and an add tab element operable to add an additional tab panel element. The defined terms of each of the tab panel elements are combined to form the Boolean expression.

Abstract: One or more users may interact simultaneously with different applications on the same device through an input system such as a touch-sensitive display screen. Simultaneous user input may be detected by a multiple input system and subsequently transmitted to an application using a single transmission frame. An application corresponding to the user input is determined based on an input location of the user input and a location and size of a corresponding application. Simultaneous user inputs are rendered simultaneously by each corresponding application. Each application may further include a secondary event processing thread that runs in parallel to traditional operating system event threads. The secondary event processing thread bypasses sequential processing limits of an operating system event thread, providing substantially simultaneous processing of input.

Abstract: Two independently adjustable and positionable cursors are employed in a visual interface for editing an electronic document. The document may comprise text symbols, text objects, and graphics objects, among others. If both cursors are located in close proximity within the document, then these cursors may be simultaneously displayed in a single window. Otherwise, two areas of the document, each comprising one of the cursors, may be simultaneously displayed using a separate window for each cursor, or alternately selected and displayed in a single window. Copy or cut operations may be made with one cursor, while paste operations may be repeated using the second cursor. Cursor locations may be left unchanged, or they may be moved between or within editing operations. The two cursors may be freely controlled by an enhanced pointing device, such as a mouse with an added touchpad or trackball, or sequentially selected and controlled by a conventional mouse.

Abstract: Users at a terminal are able to select network data using multiple, independently operated, cursors. These cursors include pointing devices, such as a mouse, a data tablet or other mechanism that selects data displayed on a terminal interface device. Decision logic may be used to determine which user has priority access when selected network content is desired by more than one user. This decision logic may be based on a user identity, terminal location, number of users at a terminal or other factors.

Abstract: A messaging system is provided whereby a message indicative of an invitation to collaboratively execute an application can be sent from one of the computing object to an intermediary system whereby the message is multicast to the other ones of the plurality of computing objects. The invitation message can be accepted by the other computing objects to cause the first object to launch the corresponding application. The other computing objects also launch versions of the application and exchange addressing information with the first application so that a multiparty application execution can be established.

Abstract: Multiple users may simultaneously edit a shared area of a printed circuit board design. In order to prevent conflicts between multiple users, a user draws a protection border around a portion of his or her workspace so as to temporarily reserve the protected portion and prevent editing by other users. The protection border may be broadcast to other users. The protection border may also define a protected region in which a user may evaluate alternative design changes without requesting corresponding changes to a master PCB design.

Abstract: Using a fovea type pointer in a video conferencing system including 2-dimensional display screen forming a virtual surface between participants interacting with the display screens. The virtual surface is utilized as a 3-dimensional rocker for pivoting an image displayed thereon in a 3-dimensional manner. The display screens (i.e., the virtual surface) may include a plurality of predefined/adjustable edge portions, such that each edge portion is designated as a rocker edge portion. Further, each rocker edge portion can be designated as at least one of a pivot portion and a panel portion. If a rocker edge portion that is a panel portion is utilized, then hidden information/options will appear. In addition, if a rocker edge portion that is a pivot portion is utilized, then the image displayed on the virtual surface will be pivoted around an invisible axis causing a portion of the image (which was once not visible) to appear.

Abstract: An information equipment remote operating system includes an operated-side information equipment and an operating-side information equipment. The operated-side information equipment includes a view region storing unit for storing view information regarding a view region correlated with an window, a screen information processing unit for generating an image to be displayed on an operating-side display unit as an initial state based on the view information, a communication unit, and a control information processing unit for operating an application. The operating-side information equipment includes a communication unit, a view region storing unit for storing the view information, a screen information processing unit for displaying images on multiple display regions in high to low display priority order, and a control information processing unit for transmitting application operating information to the operated-side information equipment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and a method for selecting, accessing and retrieving directly from a physical (i.e., hard-copy) document, hypertext documents located on a user workstation or on one or a plurality of servers connected to a communication network, and for displaying the retrieved hypertext documents over said physical document. The information is accessed by the user simply by touching with a finger items (i.e., words, letters, symbols, pictures, icons, . . . ) that are highlighted on an electronic hypertext document displayed over the physical document.

Abstract: A user interface (UI), which reflects exchanges in the past and the future between a user and entities. The UI includes a background having a user defined granularity, a plurality of dots, which each represent at least one collaborative exchange of a user and which are each arranged on the background, a graphic connection between any two or more dots which each represent exchanges between the user and similar entities, a first graphic which includes first level information, and a second graphic which includes second level information. For any set of one or more dots which each represent exchanges between the user and similar entities, the dot closest to or within the central area includes a graphical identifier that indicates whether the entity is currently available for a new exchange.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for registering and enrolling multiple users in a interactive information display systems where the untethered multiple users interact with large information displays using laser pointers coordinated with voice commands. A registration program assigns a unique identification to each user that associates a particular user's voice and a particular laser pointer pattern chosen by that user, with that particular user. Users may speak voice commands. The system will then perform speech recognition of the user's voice command. If the command is recognized, the system performs the speech-recognized command as a window operation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention uses the message sequence chart (MSC) and various visual cues to provide an interactive visualization of threaded electronic conversations (e.g., in email, bulletin board, instant message, or social network) by presenting to users various information about a particular conversation or the conjunction of separate conversations, such as sequences of messages, conversation participants, time in transit, time send/received, and other message attributes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include displaying a display region, on a display device associated with a computer system, corresponding to a container at a remote location operatively coupled to the computer system over a network, wherein the container includes at least two content items, dividing the display region into at least two portions, wherein each portion corresponds to one of the at least two items, and upon detecting a positioning of a cursor in a first portion of the at least two portions, transmitting a request to the remote location for a first content item, of the at least two content items, receiving the first content item, and displaying the first content item in the display region.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for handling instant messages. In response to receiving an instant message, a determination is made as to whether a picture of a sender of the instant message is associated with the instant message, wherein the picture is located in a preexisting database of pictures. The picture with the message is displayed on a display in the data processing system, if the picture is associated with the message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for creating a session log for a computing device being studied for usability by a plurality of usability experts that include: displaying, by a usability engine to a plurality of usability experts, a usability observation video of a user interacting with a computing device during a usability session for studying the usability of the device; detecting, by an event listener on the computing device, an event generated as a result of user interaction with the device; notifying, by the event listener, the usability engine of the event; recording, by the usability engine, a description of the event in a session log; receiving, by the usability engine from at least one of the usability experts, usability observations regarding the usability of the device; and recording, by the usability engine, the usability observations in the session log.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus connects a plural coordinate input apparatus to a common screen display apparatus. The common screen display apparatus displays a common screen shared by a plurality of users. The plural coordinate input apparatus detects coordinate values instructed by a plurality of coordinate pointers and generates plural coordinate data. An input allocating section determines either supplying the coordinate data to an application or acquiring control authority and issuing an event to an operating system, based on the coordinate data entered from the coordinate input apparatus and position and back-and-forth relationship of windows of a plurality of applications displayed on the display apparatus.

Abstract: A pointing-control system for multipoint conferences includes a plurality of computers, a gateway, a display, a conference-control module and a pointing-control module. The computers are connected through a wired or wireless network with the gateway. The computer with the highest priority number is defined as the host computer having the right to assign any of the computers to be the report computer. The conference-control module can demonstrate presentation frames of the report computer on the display through the gateway. The pointing-control module is used to capture pointing coordinates of pointing apparatuses of the respective computers, and further to display the pointing coordinates on the presentation frames of the display.

Abstract: A user interface (UI), which reflects exchanges in the past and the future between a user and entities. The UI includes a background having a user defined granularity, a plurality of dots, which can represent at least one collaborative exchange of a user and which are each arranged on the background, a graphic connection between any two or more dots which each represent exchanges between the user and similar entities, a first graphic which includes first level information, and a second graphic which includes second level information. For any set of one or more dots which each represent exchanges between the user and similar entities, the dot closest to or within the central area includes a graphical identifier that indicates whether the entity is currently available for a new exchange.

Abstract: An improved method and system for complex and integrated application performance management which tracks end-to-end computer resource consumption of a first business application workflow in an enterprise system. The first business application workflow may include a plurality of components. The plurality of components may further include one or more component types. A second or subsequent business application workflow may be embedded or linked as a component of the first business application workflow. Resource usage information of the plurality of components (including resource usage information of underlying units of work of the plurality of components) may be correlated to determine cumulative resource usage information for the first business application workflow. The resource usage information may be displayed in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for sending and receiving electronic messages, e.g., emails, allows a user to simply draw a graphic directional indicator, e.g., an arrow, in a computer operating environment to send emails. Depending on the drawn graphic directional indicator, the entire computer operating environment or selected graphic objects in the computer operating environment can be transmitted as an electronic message.

Abstract: The invention enables a new type of interaction with content represented by an active visual display element in response to double-clicking a point-and-click user interface apparatus when the active visual display element is selected.

Abstract: A collaboration system including a coordinated distributed design process and which allows individuals to hold interactions over a network and work together in a coordinated fashion on shared problems, wherein a controlling participant in control of the floor of a collaboration interaction and in control of certain aspects of the user interfaces of one or more collaboration participants is described. Furthermore, a user interface is described that can minimize confusion that can otherwise result from collaboration participants having user interfaces with different sizes and resolutions.

Abstract: Communicating non-keyboard related data via a keyboard connection is disclosed. A keyboard protocol format is added to the non-keyboard related data. The non-keyboard related data is then transmitted within the keyboard protocol format through the keyboard connection. Once the keyboard protocol format has been received through the keyboard connection, it is parsed to retrieve the non-keyboard related data from the keyboard protocol format. The non-keyboard related data is then processed accordingly. The non-keyboard related data may include mouse coordinates, a command to disable a display of a mouse cursor, a test signal, or mouse function commands transmitted from a remote computer to a local computer over a network via an interaction device and through the keyboard connection of the local computer. The keyboard connection may be a PS/2 connection or an USB connection.

Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency of interaction by an operator with data on a computer display includes presenting the data to the operator on the computer display, and providing multiple instances of an on-screen control at different locations on the display for selection by the operator using a pointing device linked to the display. The control is actuated responsive to the selection by the operator of any of the instances of the control on the display.

Abstract: A system and method to display an ancillary image which is movable with a cursor image. A cursor image indication is obtained which is indicative of the cursor image. An ancillary image indication is generated based on the cursor image indication. The cursor image and the ancillary image are displayed based on the cursor image indication and the ancillary image indication.