Abstract: A distributed graphical presentation and manipulation application executes as a thin client application in a network. The networked graphical presentation and manipulation application can generally be used without requiring a user to install any specific software prior to using the application. In one aspect, code may be received from a server, and a local environment may be generated based on the code, where the local environment may be configured to display a view of the graphical model. One or more model views to be requested may be predicted, and the predicted views may be stored in a memory for display in the local environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for block diagram modeling, including generating a block diagram containing blocks interconnected by lines on a graphical user interface (GUI), specifying frame and channel information, the frame and channel information including a frame length, a number of channels, a frame category and an inter-sample spacing, and propagating the frame and channel information available at each of subsequent blocks in the block diagram.

Abstract: A method for changing a color value and/or level of opacity value of a glass appearance window frame for an application window is described. The method includes steps of determining a defined color value and a defined level of opacity value to apply to a glass appearance window frame and displaying the glass appearance window frame in accordance with the defined color value and the defined level of opacity value. A command may be received to apply the defined color value and the defined level of opacity value to the glass appearance window frame, thereby applying the defined color value and level of opacity value to the glass appearance window frame. Color values and/or level of opacity values may be changed automatically, be application specific, and/or be changed in response to receipt of an input from a user to change one or more portions of a default configuration.

Abstract: Aspects for changing a reflective highlight on a glass appearance window frame of an application window are described. An illustrative method includes steps of displaying a first reflective highlight on a glass appearance window frame of an application window, calculating a second reflective highlight in response to detection of an event, and changing the displayed first reflective highlight on the glass appearance window frame of the first application window to the second reflective highlight. The event may correspond to a command to move and/or resize the application window, determination of a time of day event, determination of a change in active/inactive status of the application window, or to a command to change a reflective highlight configuration. Reflective highlights may be changed automatically and/or in response to receipt of an input from a user to change one or more portions of a reflective highlight configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for moving objects within the graphical user interface (GUI) of an operating system in a manner that provides a transitional effect between window states, which is pleasing to the user. This transitional effect includes changing the shape of a window while scaling and moving the window between two different sizes and positions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the transitional effect may be employed as a window is minimized into an icon, or restored from an icon. In another embodiment of the present invention, the transitional effect is employed as a window is minimized within its title bar, or restored therefrom. The rate of movement of objects is controlled in a non-linear manner, to further enhance the pleasing effect.

Abstract: Generally described, a method is provided for use in a computer system that allows users to navigate quickly through multiple applications. In accordance with the method, when the computer receives a signal from the user, it extracts a preview representing a screen shot for each window open within the operating system. It then displays the preview, a description, and an icon for the next window in the activation hierarchy and a description and an icon for the remaining open windows. In other embodiments, the previews for all open windows with corresponding descriptions and icons are displayed utilizing several different arrangements. The computer then receives a designation from the user of the next window he or she wants to make active and brings to the foreground the top level window corresponding to the selection.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses a zooming effect to provide additional display space to manage applications. In one mode of operation, the system presents an image of a computer desktop to the user on a display device. When the system receives a request from a user to provide additional display space in a display device for application management purposes, the system decreases the size of the computer desktop in the display device to provide an extended display area. The system then facilitates application management by displaying items useful for application management in this extended display area. By providing the extended display area, the system allows the user to access such items easily and efficiently without losing the context of the computer desktop.

Abstract: The thumbnail icons representing content items stored in a Memory Stick are displayed as aligned in a linear manner. The sequence of the alignment of the thumbnail icons follows the sequence of the sort icons displayed in the control area. By rotating the jog dial, the user can scroll the thumbnail icons displayed in the view area. Rotating the jog dial, the user displays the thumbnail icon representing a desired content item as a selected thumbnail icon (at the center) and then presses the jog dial. Consequently, the content item represented by the selected thumbnail icon is reproduced.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the present invention prepares an alternate view of an integrated circuit (IC) layout from a top view thereof by selecting an initial polygon representing and IC feature from the top view of the layout, where the initial polygon is defined by a plurality of initial points. The coordinates the plurality of initial points are mapped onto coordinates of a plurality of translated points that define a second polygon representing an alternate view of the initial polygon. The mapping uses at least one of either the height of the initial polygon or the width of the initial polygon. The method can be used, for example and without limitation, to generate a three dimensional view from the top view of the layout or a sectional view of the layout.

Abstract: A run-time, frame-based processing mechanism executes a block diagram model by propagating frame attributes information from blocks on which a user specified the frame attributes information to all other blocks in the block diagram model. The frame attributes information includes an indicator that specifies whether or not the data flowing from one block to another is sample-based or frame-based, as well as the size of the frame in terms of number of samples and number of channels.

Abstract: A user interface for facilitating a decision making process, such as planning a trip. A unified view of various types of information related to an event may be provided. The unified view may be presented in a simulated three-dimensional environment having different types of information depicted on different windows. Different types of information related to a common event may be visually linked. A window showing a particular type of information may be brought into a focus view for closer inspection by a user. Alternative decisions may be depicted to permit vagueness or uncertainty, particularly at early iterations in the decision making process.

Abstract: A Graphical User Interface (“GUI”) that provides a user with the ability to manipulate display objects in a non-uniform manner on a display surface is provided. For example, a user can manipulate an object so that it appears, torn, bent, folded, angled, etc. Additionally, a method and system for digitally attaching display objects to a display surface is described. The attachments include digital staples, digital push-pins, digital tape, etc. In still another aspect of the present invention a technique for transmitting and updating the display of non-uniform objects is described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for constructing a composite image within an image space of a webpage. The method includes the steps of displaying a plurality of source images within a content area of the webpage and dividing the image space of the composite image into a plurality of subspaces. The method further includes the steps of designating a10 subspace of the plurality of subspaces for receipt of a selected image of the plurality of images and resizing the selected image to fit the designated subspace of the composite image.

Abstract: A remote control system includes: an electric home terminal device 11 having a control program; a server PC 12, for transmitting control data to the electric home terminal device 11 and for registering three-dimensional model data concerning the electric home terminal device 11; and client PCs 14, 15 and 16, for receiving the three-dimensional model data from the server PC 12, wherein the client PCs 14, 15 and 16 perform an additional operation upon the receipt of specific three-dimensional model data from the server PC 12, and transmit, to the server PC 12, update data for a three-dimensional model obtained by the additional operation, and wherein the server PC 12 transmits, to the electric home terminal device 11, the control data based on the update data for a three-dimensional model received from the client PCs 14, 15 and 16.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for automatically generating an execution order for a control system function block diagram. The input data availability is determined for the inputs of the function blocks in the diagram, and an execution order is generated for the function block diagram according to the input data availability for the function block inputs. Also disclosed are methods and systems for generating a control routine from a function block diagram having a plurality of function blocks, wherein the control routine is generated from the function block diagram according to the execution order.

Abstract: A 10-Foot media user interface is herein described. A computer user interface may be designed for primary use as a 10-Foot user interface, where a user controls the computer using a remote control device, instead of as a traditional 2-Foot user interface where the user controls the computer using keyboard and mouse from directly in from of the computer. The 10-Foot user interface uses 3D space and animations to more clearly indicate navigation and selection of items in the user interface to the controlling user. Use of three-dimensional space also increases the display screen real estate that is available for content items, and allows the media user interface to move unselected items out of primary view of the user. The user interface may animate movement in three-dimensions to allow the user to more easily conceptually follow navigation of the user interface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates redirecting the output of direct rendering graphics calls in a 3D window system. The system interposes a redirection library between an application and a direct rendering library in the 3D window system. This redirection library is a 3D foundation library that intercepts direct rendering calls. The redirection library routes the direct rendering calls to a display server. The display server renders the direct rendering calls into texture rather than rendering the direct rendering calls into a window on a screen of a display device. The system then displays the texture on a 3D shape through the display device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates using visual effects within a three-dimensional (3D) display environment to indicate a usage context of a computational resource, which is represented by a 3D object in the 3D display environment. During operation, the system determines the usage context of the computational resource. Next, the system determines visual effects corresponding to the usage context to apply to the 3D object which represents the computational resource. Finally, the system applies the visual effects to the 3D object. In this way, the usage context of the corresponding computational resource can be determined by viewing the 3D object within the 3D display environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for browsing a plurality of data objects represented by images displayed within a three-dimensional graphical environment is described. A plurality of data object arrangement schemes are provided for arranging corresponding represented images of the data objects within the three-dimensional environment dependent on a selected one of the schemes. The data objects are then automatically arranged within the three-dimensional environment according to the selected schemes. Schemes can be user selected such that by selecting a new scheme, the objects are rearranged according to the newly selected scheme. The environment is partitioned into three-dimensional areas and representative images of the data objects are arranged within the partitioned environment such that representative images of related groups of data objects with respect to the selected scheme are displayed within the same areas.

Abstract: A design professional such as an interior designer running a browser program at a client computer (i) optionally causes a digital image of a room, or a room model, or room images to be transmitted across the world wide web to a graphics server computer, and (ii) interactively selects furnishings from this server computer, so as to (iii) receive and display to his or her client a high-fidelity high-quality virtual-reality perspective-view image of furnishings displayed in, most commonly, an actual room of a client's home. Opticians may, for example, (i) upload one or more images of a client's head, and (ii) select eyeglass frames and components, to (iii) display to a prospective customer eyeglasses upon the customer's own head. The realistic images, optionally provided to bona fide design professionals for free, promote the sale to the client of goods which are normally obtained through the graphics service provider, profiting both the service provider and the design professional.

Abstract: An information-processing apparatus, an information-processing method and a data recording medium which allow a display to be presented to the user. The apparatus, method, and medium allow the display of a cyclical time concept which includes nature, creatures and integration of pictures and comments and is based on a predetermined cycle typically including a sequence of transitions among the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, or of a day consisting of morning, afternoon, and night, or a cycle can also be a temperature or humidity cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for geometrically organizing, interfacing to, surfing, authoring, converting and viewing computer files such as pages on the World Wide Web or operator interface windows of application software. A plurality of related Web pages or windows are organized and presented for view on a computer display in an apparent three or four dimensional relationship to each other with a front, right, left, top, and bottom face (page). A back face may be accessed by a button. Each face and its corresponding page/file can be further spatially related to five other faces and their corresponding pages/files in the same manner ad infinitum. The related pages are organized as a matrix of three dimensional cubes or four dimensional hypercubes.

Abstract: An operating system shell provides on a display screen a graphical user interface through which a user interacts with the operating system. The operating system shell provides a background noisy display rendered on the display screen in accordance with a background physical lighting model, and an ambient notification rendered over at least a portion of the background noisy display to provide a user notification. The ambient notification is rendered in accordance with an ambient notification physical lighting model that is different from the background physical lighting model.

Abstract: A controller configuration system and user interface therefor are disclosed for creating and editing controller function block diagrams for use in control systems. The interface provides feedback loop identification features, wire connection cross-referencing and hyperlinks, wire connector name matching, pin datatype visualization, correct wiring indication and wiring error indications, and intelligent deletion and restoration features. In addition, the interface provides block morphing, free-form text boxes, error navigation, error indication, and block execution status information.

Abstract: To store and display shape data in different stages of a shaping operation to allow comparison and examination of plurality of operation plans to facilitate determination of a shape. A shape modification section modifies inputted shape data. The shape data for individual modifications are stored into a shape storage section, and shapes based on the shape data by the individual modifications are individually displayed in windows on a display screen. An element designation section designates an element in a unit of a face of the latest modified shape from among the modified shapes displayed in the windows. An element replacement section replaces an element of the latest shape having the same model information as model information of the element designated by the element designation section 50 with the designated element.

Abstract: The invention is a computer-implemented method and apparatus for organizing Web pages and other computer files relative to each other in a manner analogous to a three or four dimensional spatial relationship and displaying multiple Web pages simultaneously in multiple panels of a computer monitor in accordance with said spatial organization, whereby despite the organization, at least one of the Web pages or files can be made to stay in the same panel of the display while the user navigates through the virtual multidimensional space.