Abstract: A three-dimensional motion graphic user interface (MGUI) and a method and apparatus for providing the same. The apparatus includes a control module which creates a polyhedron component that can be opened and that has at least one opening face and an internal space containing at least one information object related to information displayed on a face of the polyhedron component. A storing module stores the polyhedron component created by the control module, and an input module inputs data about a user's action with respect to the polyhedron component. A user interface module assigns predetermined attributes to at least one of a plurality of subordinate faces, maps information displayed on an information face according to the predetermined attributes, processes motion of the polyhedron component according to the input data, changes an information display according to the motion, and manages at least one group of a plurality of polyhedron components.

Abstract: An event display apparatus includes a configuration unit to configure a screen to include a time region, which is divided by time intervals along a first axis into a plurality of sub-time regions, and an event region, which is divided by event into a plurality of sub-event regions, in parallel to the first axis; and an output unit to output time slots, which has been allocated according to one or more zones, in the respective sub-time regions along the first axis, and to output sub-event regions comprising event information of different types, which correspond to the set time slots, in parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Facilitating display of, and interaction with, secure user-centric information via a user platform operated by a user. A desktop is displayed on a display device of the user platform as a channel grid framework that includes a plurality of user-selectable items representing a corresponding plurality of authorized channels through which the user receives and/or interacts with respective portions of the secure user-centric information. The plurality of user-selectable items included in the channel grid framework is based at least in part on information access rights and/or security protocols respectively associated with the corresponding plurality of channels, the user, and the user platform.

Abstract: A method that includes causing at least a portion of a first representation of a first file and at least a portion of a second representation of a second file to be displayed in a user interface on a display associated with a computing device, where the first file is included in a first folder included in a folder structure stored in a memory included within the computing device, and the second file is included in a second folder included in the folder structure. The method further includes receiving user input to navigate content stored in the folder structure, and, in response to the user input, causing the at least a portion of the first representation and the at least a portion of the second representation to move in a first direction within the user interface.

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

Abstract: The use of gestures to organize displayed objects on an interactive display. The gesture is used to move the displayed object to the edge of the interactive display so that the displayed object is only partially displayed after being moved. The size of the displayed object may be reduced and/or the displayed object may be rotated such that an identified portion of the displayed object remains in the display after moving. A gesture may also be used to move multiple displayed objects to the edge of the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate automatic display and management of data items associated with a hierarchical tree arrangement of folders and subfolders. A computerized interface for data presentation is provided having a sorting component to determine categories relating to one or more items for display. A cluster component groups the categories according to discretized states in order to control visible output to the display. Such states can include packed and unpacked states, wherein packed states can cluster a plurality of items together and across several nodes, whereas unpacked items are controlled and displayed under a grouped heading in one context and as individual data items or entities in another context.

Abstract: Methods of providing a menu display 1 for a GUI 31 are disclosed together with a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium 34 and apparatus 31 for the same. Methods include the steps of displaying a menu 1 in the form of a group of icons 3, 20, 21 wherein each icon corresponds to a menu option and is selectable by a user, and displaying an icon selector graphic 4 adapted to identify the icon 20 corresponding to a menu option currently selected by a user. A textual label 19 or a submenu 6-11 corresponding to the currently selected menu option/icon 20 may be displayed. Also, the group of icons and the icon selector graphic may be rotatable relative to each other and where the icon selector graphic is stationary and the group of icons rotatable, the center of rotation of the group of icons may be located outside the periphery of a display. Further disclosed is a rotatable menu window 5.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting a plurality of items to a user with a contextual display. A computer system is provided which includes a data store. At least a portion of the items in the data store include one or more field entries. An explorer interacts with the data store, selects items having one or more desired field entries, and displays the selected items according to an explorer display schema. An application may select the items from the data store and may interact with a shell browser to present the selected items. A method for establishing an explorer for presenting items in a data store to a user.

Abstract: A three-dimensional motion graphical user interface and an apparatus and a method of providing the same are provided. The apparatus for providing a three-dimensional motion graphical user interface includes a creation module which creates a polyhedral object having a face on which first information to be communicated to a user is displayed; a display module which displays the created polyhedral object; and an interface module which displays second information, which corresponds to a face of the displayed polyhedral object selected by the user, on a projected surface formed separately from the displayed polyhedral object.

Abstract: An interface and a method is provided for permitting a user to explore a collection of data. The data collection provides nodes as structural elements, and references which are assigned to nodes and hold the address of another node. Multiple references can be assigned to each node, thus guiding a user of the system to multiple other nodes, and multiple references can hold the same address, so that multiple nodes can have references pointing to the same node. The interface allows visualizing the network created by the interconnection of the nodes on a display region. The interface also allows the user to intuitively navigate along the references in both directions of the references, so that the user can explore which nodes are referenced by a certain node, and also by which nodes a certain node is referenced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing a display, a graphical user interface rendered on the display having associated with it a plurality of objects representative of one or more computing functions, and a processor for varying the position of at least one of the plurality of objects, wherein the processor provides for the continuous repositioning of at least one of the plurality of objects.

Abstract: In an output setup to a device apparatus, when the contents of a plurality of setting items are changed in a lump by using a compound setup consisting of a plurality of setting items, a mismatching of the set contents and a function of the device apparatus is avoided. For this purpose, according to the invention, when the compound setup can be used for a plurality of device apparatuses, the compound setup which is used for the designated device apparatus is selected, and in case of performing the output setup to the designated device apparatus by using the selected compound setup, whether the output can be performed by the contents of each setting item of the compound setup in the device apparatus or not is discriminated in accordance with the function of the device apparatus.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electronic device including a touch sensitive display the method including displaying a plurality of graphical items on the touch sensitive display where each graphical item has an identity; detecting a coupling, formed by a user, of at least two graphical items, the coupling including, a trace on the touch sensitive display between the at least two graphical items; and, performing an action dependent upon the identity of the coupled graphical items.

Abstract: A user interface method for executing one or more operations in a computer for interfacing an associated user with a knowledge portal (10) that is operatively associated with a plurality of data objects in a data store (12) includes the steps of: receiving a user input (202); updating, based upon the received user input, one of a current object identity (82), a preview object identity (86), and a K-map parameter (84); updating a K-map conditional upon updating one of a current object identity (82) and a K-map parameter (84); displaying in a document pane (72) at least a portion of the current object; displaying in a map pane (74) the K-map; and displaying in a preview pane (76) contents associated with the preview object.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of inputting text into a data processing apparatus, including the steps of (a) providing a database of words arranged hierarchically into a plurality of levels; (b) displaying at least one window on a visual display unit of said data processing apparatus; (c) showing a plurality of said words in said at least one window; (d) choosing a word or words from said plurality of words shown in said at least one window; and (e) outputting an output in response to choosing of said word(s) in said step (d).

Abstract: In an electronic file system, preview information is provided to the user during a drag operation of a selected object onto a target object. The information indicates what type(s) of action is to be taken should the selected object be dropped onto the target object. The action(s) to be taken may depend upon the type of the selected object and/or the type of the target object. For example, where the selected object is an item and the target object is a persisted auto-list, the action may include adding, removing, or modifying one or more properties of the selected object to conform to one or more criteria defined by the persisted auto-list. Also, numerical feedback may be provided to the user where multiple objects are selected. For example, where seven objects are selected, the textual number “7” may appear next to the cursor.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting information of document files, the document files being stored on a document database where the document files are categorized and stored into any of predefined category bins, the apparatus includes: a selecting section that selects at least some of document files stored on the document database and categorized in object category bins as representative document files for each of the object category bins, the object category bins being at least part of the category bins; and a presenting section that presents information relating to the selected representative document files to a user.

Abstract: A method for constructing a still-image slideshow is provided. The method comprises receiving a command signal for constructing a slideshow associated with video data included in digital data received by the digital data receiver; acquiring at least one still image from the video data, in response to receiving the command signal; and constructing the slideshow based on the still image.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating patent grant and patent application claims examination; including the functions of automated importing of patent claims, automated parsing of the claims into their hierarchy, and compression/expansion of the parsed claims to/from the independent claim level.

Abstract: Generating a dynamic legend for a drawing developed by a diagramming software program. A drawing sheet module and legend module, logically-coupled to the drawing sheet module, are useful for generating and updating a dynamic legend. The legend module can support the addition of a legend to a drawing sheet. The legend module can also determine if legend symbols should be automatically added to the legend. If legend symbols are added to a drawing sheet, that addition can be automatically reflected in the dynamic legend. Symbols can be converted such that they may be reflected in a dynamic legend.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for planning an arrangement of beverage equipment on a virtual surface or counter. The system allows a user to create a virtual surface of chosen dimension (32) and then select one or more beverage machines (36) to place on that surface while verifying that there is sufficient open space for the selected beverage machine (38). Also disclosed is a method of determining projected profit (48) based on the selection of beverage machines, entered values related to costs, and entered values related to serving size and pricing. The system reports on projected profits and/or how long the equipment needs to be operated to pay off the equipment's cost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a desktop from a plurality of desktops for use upon turning on a computer system are provided. When the computer system is turned on, it is first determined whether there is more than one desktop available in the computer system. If so, the computer system determines whether a network address is associated with some or all of the available desktops by comparing its network address with the network addresses that are associated with the available desktops. If the computer system finds a network address that is the same as its own network address, the computer system then uses the desktop associated with the stored network address.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus reads a multi-page original document and obtains multiple sets of image data, creates virtual combination information that indicates the interrelationships among the obtained multiple sets of image data, separately sends the obtained multiple sets of image data and sends the virtual combination information. Consequently, the computer that received the multiple sets of image data and the virtual combination information can recognize the received multiple sets of image data as separate sets of image data, while associating the received multiple sets of image data with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for finding objects in a computer including a display and a pointing device with which a user drags a pointer on the display, having: an input that receives an input signal to indicate a drag operation; memory that stores a plurality of objects including enclosures in the memory, wherein enclosures comprise objects which may enclose other objects; window opening logic, coupled with the display, that draws windows on the display corresponding to opened enclosures, wherein a window for an opened enclosure includes identifiers within the window corresponding to objects enclosed by the opened enclosure; and, temporary window logic, coupled to the display and the pointing device, that opens a temporary window for the particular enclosure display identifiers within the temporary window corresponding to objects enclosed by the particular enclosure, in response to a drag during a drag operation of the pointer over an identifier corresponding to a particular enclosure.

Abstract: Contextual desktop folders are provided in addition to a system desktop folder, thereby customized desktop folders (contextual desktop folders) are provided to a user. Thus, applications that have for example editing dialogs presented via a GUI interface, can have the dialogs customized for a computing environment providing dialog functions associated with predetermined applications. Preferably, a user or application selects files of a contextual desktop to present to the user of the application as “default” files, folders, shortcuts or applications.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide access to architectural documents in a network based on-line web based system. Servers that are accessible from the Internet maintain persistent multiple architectural documents of different media types. An online user is provided, from the servers via the Internet, a set of basic virtual design tools that have persistent properties and may be copied. The virtual design tools may also be utilized to work with the architectural documents. A workspace is also provided for viewing, accessing, and modifying the architectural documents.

Abstract: The management of files, folders, and other data is facilitated. When a user inputs a character string (tag), which is desired to be retrieved, to a retrieval character input space and operates a retrieval button on a screen, retrieval is started, and a screen (file) corresponding to the input character string is displayed. This makes it possible for the user to fetch a desired file as required. That is, the user is able to manage and control files without using folders.

Abstract: An information collecting/providing system provides information in a manner that allows information to be easily registered, viewed, developed, and reused, even when a large amount of various kinds of information is collected and dealt with. The information collecting/providing system includes one or more terminal devices, an information collection/management apparatus connectable to the one or more terminal devices via a communication network, and an collected-information database connected to the information collection/management apparatus. The information collection/management apparatus receives collected information from the one or more terminal devices and stores the received information into the collected-information database. If the information collection/management apparatus receives a request from a terminal device, the information collection/management apparatus transmits, to the terminal device, collected information allowed for a user of the terminal device to read.

Abstract: The disclosed information describes a method, system, and computer-readable medium for performing direct manipulation of displayed content (e.g., dragging the displayed content in a particular direction or dragging a particular part of the displayed content). In particular, content is displayed to a user, and a variety of direct manipulations of the displayed content are provided to allow the user to modify display of the content without the use of separate displayed content manipulation controls. The disclosed direct manipulation techniques are used to modify the display of content by altering the value of a content properties affecting the display. Such properties can include an amplitude affecting the size or level with which the information is presented (e.g.

Abstract: A palette-based graphical user interface for a computer-implemented system. The palettes can be customized in a number of different ways to make them more user-friendly.

Abstract: A method of graphical presentation of relationships with business significance between business related entities such as individuals, business entities, and activities of human endeavor. Information retrieved from databases about relationships between business related entities can be more quickly and more clearly understood if the relationships are presented graphically with a symbol for each entity and links connecting the entities where each link specifies the type of relationship, such as employee, owner, shareholder, contractors, etc. When databases are queried about a particular entity, that entity is displayed in a prominent position, such as the center of the display.

Abstract: A plurality of displayable screens are classified into a plurality of screen groups in such a manner that two or more of the screens belong to each individual screen group. Once a desired one of the screen groups is designated by activation of a shift switch, respective tabs of the two or more screens belonging to the designated screen group are visually displayed on a display device. Then, once a desired one of the thus-displayed tabs is designated by activation of a tab switch, the screen corresponding to the thus-designated tab is displayed on the display device. Even when the tab display has been switched by designating another screen group, the screen corresponding to the last designated tab (i.e., main screen), is prevented from being changed unless another tab is designated.

Abstract: A file management method prohibits a thumbnail image of an arbitrary file. The method displays files as thumbnail images on a display each of which show contents of the file, and detects a drag and drop operation between a specific thumbnail image and the arbitrary thumbnail image. The thumbnail image subject to the drag and drop operation is prohibited from displaying on the display.

Abstract: Generating a dynamic legend for a drawing developed by a diagramming software program. A drawing sheet module and legend module, logically-coupled to the drawing sheet module, are useful for generating and updating a dynamic legend. The legend module can support the addition of a legend to a drawing sheet. The legend module can also determine if legend symbols should be automatically added to the legend. If legend symbols are added to a drawing sheet, that addition can be automatically reflected in the dynamic legend. Symbols can be converted such that they may be reflected in a dynamic legend.

Abstract: A multi-layer graphical user interface provides multiple types of information in at least two layers of a common display space, such as a window. In one implementation, a shared network folder includes two layers of display objects to separately represent files contained in the folder and users with whom the folder is shared. The first or top layer may represent the files with conventional words, icons or other symbols. The second or lower level may represent the users with whom the folder is shared with words, icons or other symbols that are dimmed, blurred, or otherwise de-emphasized relative to the top layer.

Abstract: An Internet-based design environment, implemented on a web server, for use by building, design, architectural, engineering, and construction personnel, wherein the design environment provides a graphical user interface having a virtual desktop (300) that resembles an architect's desk, wherein the virtual desktop provides a virtual workspace for storing design documents and a set of basic virtual design tools (304, 306) for use in sketching, drawing, modeling, creating, and editing the stored design documents in the virtual workspace. The design documents may comprise different media types (314) and are persistently maintained on the web server. The virtual design tools comprise graphical icons that resemble physical objects with similar virtual functionality to the resembled physical objects and may be moved around the virtual workspace.