Graphical Or Iconic Based (e.g., Visual Program) Patents (Class 715/763)
  • Patent number: 8904299
    Abstract: A tool for analyzing a sequence of data in an object-oriented environment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sequence of data may include time-indexed sequence of data (“time series data”). The tool may provide graphical user interfaces that enable a user to analyze the time series data encapsulated in a time series object or time series collection object. The graphical user interfaces may enable a user to create a time series object and manipulate the data in the time series object or time series collection object. The graphical user interfaces may also display the data in the time series object or time series collection object in various types of plots, such as time plots, spectral plots, x-y plots, correlation plots and histograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Owen, Rajiv Singh, Rong Chen, Pascal Gahinet
  • Patent number: 8903928
    Abstract: A method for organizing a message thread containing one or more messages. A root message and reply groupings are identified, each reply grouping depending from the root message. Each reply grouping has one or more child reply messages depending from a common parent message. The child reply messages within each reply grouping are ordered in chronological order based on the time of each of the one or more child reply messages was received or sent. The reply groupings are hierarchically ordering based on a relationship between the reply grouping and its parent message. A single display allows a user to view the message thread and the content of all of the messages in accordance with the hierarchical ordering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Staats
  • Patent number: 8898581
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus may include a control unit to control display of parts information of a plurality of items, to generate search information according to feedback from a user for the parts information, and to control display of a search result according to the search information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Homma, Yoshiaki Iwai, Jianing Wu
  • Patent number: 8896621
    Abstract: A drawing application provides functionality for assisting the user in performing freehand drawing. The user can place virtual stencils on the screen, and can manipulate the stencils in various ways. The stencils can be used as guides for freehand drawing and/or to transform freehand drawings into more precise shapes. In general, the stencils do not form part of the final graphical document being created (or edited), but are used to assist the creation (or editing) of the document, in a manner that is analogous to the use of physical stencils in when drawing on paper or other physical medium. The stencils can be used for straightening lines, for constraining the effect of drawing or painting, and/or as a visual guide for performing any drawing operations. The user can cause the stencils to be dismissed and/or hidden at any time, so that the graphical document can be viewed without the overlaying stencils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Pinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph K. Sipher, Brook Lenox
  • Publication number: 20140344728
    Abstract: An approach is provided for generating functional icons on one or more devices based on the location of one or more users relative to a user's vehicle, the time that the one or more users are away from the vehicle, and/or the specific location of the one or more users and/or the user's vehicle. A context platform causes, at least in part, an evaluation of one or more contextual parameters against one or more threshold criteria, wherein the contextual parameters are associated with at least one vehicle, at least one user of the at least one vehicle, or a combination thereof. The context platform causes, at least in part, a generation of at least one interactive user interface element depicting information related to the at least one vehicle based, at least in part, on the evaluation. The context platform causes, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one interactive user interface element in at least one user interface of at least one device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: Marko Tapio Tuukkanen
  • Patent number: 8893084
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to record one or more customization messages in a storage are described. Each customization message may include one or more predicates specifying applicability of the customization message for a plurality of objects. An operation on the objects may be performed to generate a configuration of a device in response to receiving an event. The configuration may include the objects. Each customization message may be selectively applied to the objects in the configuration to customize the configuration. An object may be updated via the customization message if the predicates match the object in the configuration. The device may be configured via the customized configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Parker, Andrew M. Matuschak, Marian E. Goldeen
  • Patent number: 8893034
    Abstract: A method for generating a multi-frame image rendering of a challenge-response test on a display is presented. The method begins by identifying a pattern with graphical elements, and a display region for rendering an entry object of the multi-frame image of the challenge-response test. Then a foreground sampling window having a non-patterned area defined by the entry object is defined. The foreground sampling window captures graphical elements of the pattern along a first path. In addition, a background sampling window that captures graphical elements of the pattern along a second path is defined. The foreground sampling window is overlaid on the background sampling window at the display region of the display, such that the entry object of the challenge-response test is discernable from the pattern during a period of time when multiple frames are rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Simon P. King
  • Patent number: 8887065
    Abstract: A system and methodology for collaboration, comprising a plurality of computing appliances, and control logic for logically structuring the plurality of computing appliances as a main team. At least two of the computing appliances have input apparatus and display apparatus. The main team is comprised of a plurality of sub-teams, wherein each of the sub-teams is comprised of at least one of the plurality of computing appliances. Communications logic provides at least two levels of data communication and display presentation, a first level as between all of the plurality of computing appliances on the team, and a second set of a plurality of second levels as between those said computing appliances on each same said sub-team. Each of the computing appliances is associated with a respective one of said second set of levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: David H Sitrick, Russell T Fling
  • Patent number: 8887098
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a generating apparatus including a display controller configured, on the basis of computer graphics description data for use in creating a computer graphics virtual space necessary for generating a computer graphics image, to display a plurality of element descriptors representative of a plurality of elements arranged in the computer graphics virtual space; and a specification information generator configured to generate specification information for specifying a parameter for defining an element corresponding to an element descriptor by a selecting operation by a user from among the displayed plurality of element descriptors as a parameter subject to adjustment that is adjusted by an adjusting operation by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Sensaburo Nakamura, Norimasa Ozaki, Takeo Ugai, Toshimasa Kakihara
  • Patent number: 8887073
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described herein for reshaping a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include one or more content elements. An interface design tool may enable users to define one or more borders with respect to the graphical user interface. The interface design tool may also perform a content-preserving warp on the graphical user interface. When the interface design tool performs the content-preserving warp, the interface design tool may preserve a shape and dimensions of any content elements defined by the borders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 8887121
    Abstract: System and method for specifying and implementing programs. A graphical program is created in a graphical specification and constraint language that allows specification of a model of computation and explicit declaration of constraints in response to user input. The graphical program includes a specified model of computation, a plurality of interconnected functional blocks that visually indicate functionality of the graphical program in accordance with the specified model of computation, and specifications or constraints for the graphical program or at least one of the functional blocks in the graphical program. The specified model of computation and specifications or constraints are useable to analyze the graphical program or generate a program or simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Kaushik Ravindran, Jacob Kornerup, Rhishikesh Limaye, Guang Yang, Guoqiang Wang, Jeffrey N. Correll, Arkadeb Ghosal, Sadia B. Malik, Charles E. Crain, II, Michael J. Trimborn
  • Patent number: 8887076
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a user interface for building a graphical flowchart that represents a database query. One method includes presenting a plurality of flowchart step types, wherein each of the flowchart step types is associated with a different logical expression format. The method also includes receiving a selection of one of the plurality of flowchart step types, presenting at least one expression option for the logical expression format of the selected flowchart step type, and receiving at least one input for the expression option. The method further includes generating a graphical flowchart step associated with a logical expression, wherein the logical expression is based on the at least one input and the logical expression format of the selected flowchart step type. The method also includes displaying the graphical flowchart step and automatically generating a database query corresponding to the logical expression associated with the displayed graphical flowchart step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aver Informatics Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Scott Frohliger
  • Patent number: 8887074
    Abstract: A media editing application is provided that enables an author-user to create a rig graphically. A rig includes a group of snapshots of one or more parameters at different instances of time. A rig is created by selecting one or more objects and creating snapshots of one or more parameters of the selected objects to create an effect. In some embodiments animation is added to some of the snapshots. Some embodiments provide an edit mode where all parameters that are changed during the edit mode are automatically added to the current snapshot at the end of editing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Sheeler, Gregory Niles, Tom Langmacher
  • Publication number: 20140331153
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device can comprise a display device which displays a screen including a plurality of items; an input/output module which operates as a means for representing context information of the electronic device based on emission and composition of lights, or as a means for inputting information through touch; and a controller which, upon receiving a touch on the input/output module, eables the function of editing the screen displayed on the display device, and, based on a touch received through the input/output module while the function of editing the screen is enabled, selects a specific item displayed on the screen and changes the location of the selected item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chala Park, Hyejin Choi
  • Publication number: 20140331152
    Abstract: A graphical planner allows a user to create or select, and then display, images that represent tasks and events to be completed by the user, as well as corresponding images that represent tasks and events that the user has already completed. The graphical planner allows a user to plan and schedule events and tasks by indicating an event or task in a non-textual (i.e., graphic or symbolic) manner. Completion of the events and tasks by the user can also be signaled or otherwise indicated in a non-textual (e.g., visual, audible) manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jake Yanchar, Georgia Elizabeth Yanchar
  • Patent number: 8881024
    Abstract: A system and methodology for collaboration and display among a plurality of users. The system is comprised of mapping logic defining a mapped structure for storing a plurality of separate layers of data in a plurality of data layers; and, storage for storing layer data in selected ones of said plurality of separate data layers, responsive to the mapping logic. The mapping logic associates user image data for each of at least two of the plurality of users for storage as respective said layer data in a respective one of the separate data layers. The system is further comprised of display definition logic controlling which of the plurality of data layers are utilized in providing a display presentation to at least one of the plurality of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, Russell T. Fling
  • Patent number: 8881037
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment involves receiving input editing electronic content being edited in the electronic content creation application and identifying changes to the electronic content being edited that are required based on the input. The exemplary embodiment further involves determining one or more of the changes to be hidden effects and selectively displaying information associated with one or more effects defined for the electronic content being edited, where the information associated with the one or more effects excludes information about the hidden effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Winsha Chen, Adam E. Altman
  • Publication number: 20140325360
    Abstract: A display apparatus which is capable of performing an initial setting and a controlling control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes an output unit configured to output a user interface (UI) which is controllable by a plurality of input modes, and a controller configured to set an input mode according to a user feedback type regarding the UI, and configured to output another UI which corresponds to the set input mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeon-hee JUNG, Do-hyoung KIM, Se-jun PARK, Yoon-woo JUN, Joo-yeon CHO, Sun CHOI
  • Publication number: 20140325404
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method for generating transition data for displaying on a screen at least one transition image between a source image and a destination image. The method comprising accessing a source set of element identifiers. The element identifiers define static elements in a source image and display data for each element. The method further comprises accessing a destination set of elements identifiers defining static elements in a destination image and display data for each element, identifying at least one matching static element in the source and destination set; and generating transition data based on the display data for the matching static element in the source set and the destination set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Denis Gennadyevich Khromov, Sergey Aleksandrovich Kozhukhov, Yaroslav Olegovich Boyarinov
  • Publication number: 20140325403
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) lighting processing device and method that apply a partial 3D lighting effect to a two-dimensional (2D) image is provided. The 3D lighting processing device includes a first information providing unit that provides a first image including normal direction information for a shade effect and a second image including color information, a second information providing unit that provides a third image including lighting area information, and a shader unit that detects, from the first image, an area corresponding to the lighting area information of the third image as a lighting application area, and performs rendering by applying the detected lighting application area to a 2D Graphic User Interface (GUI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Yong PARK, Jung-Eun Lee
  • Publication number: 20140325402
    Abstract: A user terminal device capable of attaching and detaching a pen is provided. The device includes a detector configured to detect a user manipulation regarding a screen, and a controller configured to change a layout of the screen to correspond to a pen use mode in response to the pen being removed from the user terminal device, perform a control operation corresponding to the detected user manipulation in response to the user manipulation using the pen being detected, and restore the layout of the screen to its original state in response to the pen being remounted on the user terminal apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-woo JUNG, In-sik MYUNG, Taik-heon RHEE, Dong-bin CHO
  • Patent number: 8875040
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating editing of editable code in an interface device or similar apparatus. Properties of device elements are enumerated by a general purpose engine resident on the interface device. The general purpose engine enumerates the properties in response to a query in a design-time environment. The device element includes a specific property type and editable code consistent with the property type. A server module on the device serves the editable code and an editing environment from the interface device to a configuration station. The code can be edited on the configuration station in the editing environment and restored to the interface device. The technique alleviates the need for separate editing software or storage of the editable code in any location other than on the interface device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Francis Mann, Clinton Duane Britt, Steven Mark Cisler, Robert F. Lloyd, Krista Mann
  • Patent number: 8875034
    Abstract: A method is provided for processing at least one image, comprising a representation of a first user for presentation to a second user, comprising steps for: obtaining an indication representative, either of an absence of relationship between the first and the second user, or of a relationship existing between the first and the second user; and modifying said image before presentation to the second user, in such a way that the first user is not identifiable by the second user, said modifying step being intended to be executed if it is determined, in accordance with at least one anonymization rule defined in relation to said cue, that said image need undergo such a modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Orange
    Inventors: Stéphane Roulliere, Olivier Fabre
  • Patent number: 8875033
    Abstract: System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Austin, Ramprasad Kudukoli
  • Patent number: 8874507
    Abstract: A method and system for governing information is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor, data defining a scope and context of an information governance project and information requirements data associated with the data. The processor classifies the information requirements data into concepts in accordance with a meta-model profile. The processor generates conceptual models and realization models in accordance with the meta-model profile. Governance roles are defined and assigned to informational assets within the conceptual models The processor selects a final architecture option and generates policy models in accordance with the governance roles, the informational assets, the meta-model profile and user input. A final architecture option is deployed and monitored, and governance events triggered and reports generated in response to changes in this deployed architecture option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Dougal A. Watt
  • Patent number: 8869051
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate launching separate editing applications from within an electronic content creation application. A content creation application can provide one or more launch editing features for launching separate editing applications to edit the objects or object parts within content that is being created. Such launch editing can involve the content creation application analyzing one or more selected objects and/or object parts and identifying which portions should be sent to a separate editing application. The separate editing application modifies the portions and returns modified portions to the content creation application where the modified portions are incorporated or merged into the electronic content being created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Fan Yu, Mariko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8869028
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an interface structure and a method for automated data mining of a legacy system. A GUI is employed to navigate through the legacy system interface application and access a data field. Once the data field is displayed, the GUI can receive a tag from the user labeling the data field. Additionally, a screen tracing device can trace the sequence of events that ultimately results in the data field being displayed. The traced sequence and its corresponding tag are then stored in a data storage device. These processes can be repeated for multiple different data fields. Subsequently, a sequence applying device can retrieve one or more previously stored sequences in response to a request referencing the corresponding tag(s) and can apply the sequence(s) in order to access, for processing, data from the corresponding data field(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Rich
  • Patent number: 8869061
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) capable of presenting a display that indicates that navigation controls can be used for navigating through results of a search using a search engine. The GUI highlights the GUI control that accepts text characters for indicating a search term such that the area contrasts with the display of an adjacent display area in response to entering the search term. Once the search is initiated, such as by actuating a search initiation control, the GUI may change to highlight navigation controls to indicate that those controls can be used to navigate between search result hits. Additional icons or controls may be displayed to further indicate the function of navigation controls and actions that may be taken to further modify the display of controls, such as collapsing some of the controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Krista Bendig
  • Patent number: 8869016
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for creating web pages for third party web sites such as Facebook. A page creation system is disclosed for creating web pages that encourage visitors to like a particular page on a third party site. Integration details are received about a third party site. Upon selecting a particular page template, the template is displayed with incomplete sections of the page template for the user to fill in. Content is received from the user for incomplete sections to form a completed page content. A create page selection is received from the user. A blurred version of a web page is created from the completed page content. A normal version of the web page that is designed for display after the blurred version is also created. The blurred version and normal version of the web page are published to the third party site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: You Everywhere Now, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Ray Barnes, Amit Chaudhary, Subrat Basnet
  • Patent number: 8866844
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a process display unit displays on the display a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data. The plurality of candidate image processes includes a sepia image process. A process receiving unit receives an instruction indicating the sepia image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes. A process storing unit stores the selected sepia image process. An image display unit displays a display image corresponding to the image data on the display. An image designating unit designates a display image. The image display unit displays a processed display image that represents a result of the selected sepia image process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated display image before performing the selected sepia image process on the image data corresponding to the designated display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiko Watari, Tatsuya Sato
  • Patent number: 8869052
    Abstract: A method is provided to display indicia of an object type for a service within a user interface of a software development system that runs on a computer, the method comprising: obtaining runtime context information that includes an identification of a respective service and an indication of a user role; providing a plurality of corresponding object types; using context dependent rules to determine which respective object types are within scope of a service; and generating a user interface that includes respective indicia of respective object types determined to be within the scope of the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventor: Rainer Andreas Dattke
  • Patent number: 8863120
    Abstract: In a virtual environment, a virtual machine (VM) host creates and displays one or more application shortcuts in the VM host. An application shortcut correlates to a software application that is installed in a VM guest. When the VM host receives an execution command for the application shortcut from the VM host, the VM host establishes a connection channel between the VM host and the VM guest and transmits a launch request to the VM guest via the connection channel. The VM guest launches the software application in response to the launch request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng-Yu Tsai, Feng-Chi Hsiao, Ting-Chieh Lin, Peng-Zheng Yang, Teng-Sheng Yu, Liang-Mao Hung
  • Patent number: 8861810
    Abstract: Automated image screening operations of pipelined image processing systems and methods are controlled with a graphical user interface enabling user control of screening analysis process setup and execution and user viewing of results. A gating interface is provided to include and/or exclude cells in an aggregation of individual cell data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Vala Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Ingermanson, Jeffrey M. Hilton, Casey A. Laris
  • Patent number: 8863011
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for handling different types of objects within a software framework. In an embodiment, an object handler keeps track of information associated with objects, and information needed to implement a user interface. The software framework employing the object handler uses that information to create the user interface so as to get user input/action. A user may select an object type and enter an associated one or more identifiers via the user interface. In response to the entering of the information, a method call of the object handler is made to determine whether the object associated with the object type and identifiers exists, and depending upon that determination, an action or further method call may be initiated and/or requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Christian Behrens, Steffen Rotsch, Martin Scholz
  • Patent number: 8860749
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for icon generation. The method comprises determining a color from a first icon, generating a colored region comprising the determined color, and generating a composite image of the colored region and the first icon to produce a second icon, wherein the second icon is larger than the first icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Neely Ainslie, David Trainor
  • Publication number: 20140304627
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing interface layout information related to one or more interface objects. As the designer places various design guides on the design canvas to assist in spacing and laying out interface objects, the ADE maintains a list of distances between each guide. When the user selects a desired screen area within the design canvas, the ADE displays selected distances for one or more of the design guides associated with the selected screen area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Macromedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Finnell
  • Patent number: 8856746
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for managing graphical user interface (GUI) objects in a testing environment. GUI objects in the testing environment are uniquely identified and the GUI objects have corresponding test objects. The uniquely identified GUI objects in the test environment are sorted in response to the pre-defined hierarchy of properties belonging to the set of properties and the pre-defined hierarchy of properties includes at least one spatial property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Varun Kumar Mishra, Nitin Chaturvedi
  • Patent number: 8856666
    Abstract: A computer comprises a chassis, a button provided on the chassis, and a memory containing executable code. The executable code is caused to execute as a result of a user pressing the button. The code causes a graphical user interface to be displayed to the user providing the user with the ability to choose at least between a computer-diagnostic operation and a recovery operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sanjeev Pathak, Ranjith Kartha
  • Patent number: 8856667
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a graphical arrangement of one or more interface elements and a definition of one or more events associated with the interface elements is used to build a state diagram model of a graphical user interface (GUI). The state diagram model of the GUI includes a plurality of states, and one or more transitions linking at least some of the states. The state diagram model may be displayed to a user, and in some cases, simulated to test functionality of the GUI. In response to user input, the state diagram model may be modified to change functionality of the GUI and/or to add functionality to the GUI. The GUI may then be generated from the state diagram model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Gaudette
  • Patent number: 8854544
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an electronic device, such as a TV. The system includes a first sensor located at or near the electronic device and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device. A processor is coupled to the electronic device and the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors. Memory is coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm configured to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone. The processor is configured to send a control command to the electronic device based on an output of the sensing algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ling Jun Wong
  • Patent number: 8856659
    Abstract: Book definitions can be dynamically created based on content provided by a user. Such dynamic creation can include organization of user-supplied content into appropriate form, adjustment of book cover properties to match the user-supplied content, and verification that the user supplied content is appropriate for presentation in book form. Various interfaces can also be provided which allow users to generate a book definition based on a minimum of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Making Everlasting Memories, LLC
    Inventor: Gordon Scott Mindrum
  • Patent number: 8856674
    Abstract: A virtual keyboard for an electronic device having a display. The keyboard comprises a plurality of virtual keys organized in accordance with a keyboard layout with each key in a position according to the layout. The plurality of virtual keys include a first virtual key designated to activate, upon selection, a backward-delete function for deleting characters in a first direction and a forward-delete function for deleting characters in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are opposite to each other. The keyboard also comprises direction identifier indicia displayed on the first virtual key. The direction identifier indicia are configured to indicate the first direction when the backward-delete function is activated, and the second direction when the forward-delete function is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Yoojin Hong
  • Publication number: 20140298215
    Abstract: A user interface is used for selecting a time duration for a media collection shelf. The media shelf can be populated with graphical elements corresponding to selected media assets, where the cumulative time duration of selected media assets should not exceed the time duration of the media collection shelf. When placed within the media collection shelf, a graphical element corresponding to a media asset is scaled in proportion to the time duration of the media asset as compared to the time duration of the media collection shelf. Optionally, selected media assets within the media collection shelf are played back in a particular order specified by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Regine Lawton, Gregory David Gudorf, Kenneth Alan Rudman, Vasil Nadzakov, Andrew Yoon, Roger Yeh, Basil Badawiyeh, Genevieve Marie Pinvidic, Dana Shawn Forte, Dan Han Diep, Samir M. Ahmed, Lee Douglas Shartzer, John Frederick Bishop, James Earl Booth, Jr., Hao Chi Tran, Peter S. Lee, Jason Douglas Pickersgill, Mark Leroy Walker, David Pettigrew
  • Publication number: 20140298108
    Abstract: A desktop management method and device is disclosed in the present disclosure and the method comprising: acquiring a desktop icon of an operation object desktop to generate a mirror desktop; adjusting the desktop icon of the mirror desktop according to the desktop icon of the operation object desktop to make the desktop icon of the mirror desktop the same as the operation object desktop thereof; and displaying the desktop icon of the adjusted mirror desktop according to the stored mirror desktop arrangement manner. The present disclosure can avoid the loss and disorder of desktop contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Xiaolin Cui, Xiangru Li, Wenze Yang, Xuan Luo
  • Publication number: 20140298214
    Abstract: Techniques for visual configuration and activation are described. Techniques discussed herein enable visuals to be presented to a user based on a user-specific visual configuration. The visuals are activated such that the visuals are selectable to access various functionalities. In at least some embodiments, a visualization that represents a user-specific visual configuration is provided to and displayed on a device. The visualization includes inactive visuals that are activated based on various considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Henri-Charles Machalani, Marina Dukhon, Thomas H. Alphin, III, Samer F. Sawaya, Sarah W. McDevitt, Daniel W. DeKlotz, Jakub P. Kotynia, Marko Panic, David S. Amenta
  • Patent number: 8847739
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates detecting and identifying objects within surface computing. An interface component can receive at least one surface input, the surface input relates to at least one of an object, a gesture, or a user. A surface detection component can detect a location of the surface input utilizing a computer vision-based sensing technique. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag can transmit a portion of RFID data, wherein the RFID tag is associated with the surface input. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) fusion component can utilize the portion of RFID data to identify at least one of a source of the surface input or a portion of data to associate to the surface input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Wilson, Alex Olwal
  • Patent number: 8849260
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide a shortcut service to execute a service in a portable terminal. The method for setting the shortcut service includes when a shortcut service setup event generates, determining a service to map onto a shortcut service button among at least one service provided by the portable terminal; and storing the shortcut service button and service information mapped onto the shortcut service button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo-Up Kwon
  • Patent number: 8850395
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for managing graphical user interface (GUI) objects in a testing environment. GUI objects in the testing environment are uniquely identified and the GUI objects have corresponding test objects. The uniquely identified GUI objects in the test environment are sorted in response to the pre-defined hierarchy of properties belonging to the set of properties and the pre-defined hierarchy of properties includes at least one spatial property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Varun Kumar Mishra, Nitin Chaturvedi
  • Patent number: 8850303
    Abstract: The present invention is an interface system for interactively building rules and constraints. The interface system comprises of an output display configured to show a user a partial complete rule with a current rule fragment, such rule fragment comprising a blank space. The user can fill in the blank space by either choosing from a list or by typing in text in the blank space. After the blank space is filled, a completed rule is generated. The interface system then assigns this rule to one or more person in a resource scheduling system. The present invention can be used for agent scheduling in a call center environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Verint Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany D. Boehmer, Gal Josefsberg, Gary Todd Aoki
  • Publication number: 20140289653
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment involves receiving input editing electronic content being edited in the electronic content creation application and identifying changes to the electronic content being edited that are required based on the input. The exemplary embodiment further involves determining one or more of the changes to be hidden effects and selectively displaying information associated with one or more effects defined for the electronic content being edited, where the information associated with the one or more effects excludes information about the hidden effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Winsha Chen, Adam E. Altman