Abstract: A system for operating an astronomical observatory made up of astronomical hardware, utilizing a web browser operated by a user, and a web server connected to the observatory, wherein both the control to, and feedback from the observatory are displayed to the user in real time independent of personnel support at the observatory site. The user submits a request to the observatory via the web browser, which displays the status and results of the request. A web server, coupled to the various astronomical hardware, processes the request on behalf of the user and responds with the status and results of the request. The status and/or results are then displayed by the web browser to the user. Requests may be made by the user interactively, or in the form of a script. The system may be used over wide area networks, like the Internet, or any other type of network.

Abstract: Context-based user behavior data is collected from a search mechanism. This data includes, for a given query, user feedback (implicit and explicit) on the query and context information on the query. A predictive pattern is applied to the context-based user behavior data in order to produce predicted user satisfaction data. Data mining techniques may be used to create and improve one or more predictive patterns. Predicted user satisfaction data can be used to monitor or improve search mechanism performance, via a display reporting the performance or identification of any queries with a shared characteristic and sub-par user satisfaction. A dynamically-improving search mechanism uses the predicted user satisfaction data to improve the performance of the search mechanism.

Abstract: As access control system and method is provided. The access control system in one aspect may comprise a client application operable to provide a user interface for allowing a user to dynamically configure rules and associated parameters for controlling access to an entity; a rules engine proxy operable to receive said rules and associated parameters from the client application, the rules engine proxy further operable to dynamically compile and execute said rules; and a controller coupled to the rules engine proxy operable to receive input and further operable to trigger the rules engine proxy to execute one or more of said rules in response to the received input.

Abstract: There is provided a portable communication terminal capable of switching between icon display and non-display. Processes executed by a control unit of a portable phone which is an aspect of the portable communication terminal comprises the steps of detecting, during the execution of an icon-bar displaying process, a press of an operation key, terminating outputting icon data if the operation key is associated with the icon-bar non-display function and if there is already no icon bar being displayed, detecting a press of the operation key, and executing the icon-bar displaying process if the operation key is associated with the icon-bar display function and if there is no icon bar being displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for reversing a windows close action is provided. The system retains data corresponding to a window after the window is closed for some period of time. The parameters by which the closed window data is retained is user-configurable. When a window is closed, data corresponding to the closed window is not reclaimed by the operating system. Instead, the operating system notes that the window is no longer being managed by the operating system so that no new messages, or signals, are sent to or from the closed window. In addition, the visual aspects of the closed window are removed from the user's display so that, from the user's perspective, the closed window appears to have been closed as in a traditional GUI operating system. The system further reclaims memory from inactive windows according to user-configurable parameters.

Abstract: Under the present invention, supplemental web content (e.g., an advertisement) referenced in a requested markup language document is detected and reduced in quality (i.e., obscured). In reducing the supplemental web content in quality, the present invention can employ any number of techniques such as removing color, animation or sound, reducing contrast or resolution, blurring the content, etc. In any event, the requested markup language document is rendered with the reduced quality supplemental web content. The supplemental web content can then be restored to its original quality, if the user so desires, based upon a prompt.

Abstract: A method and system for reviewing and recording approvals for a component requirements document (CRD). A document link to a CRD and a chart link to a condensed version of the CRD are inserted into a review database table. The CRD describes changes required for a software application component. Prior to a review meeting, reviewers activate the document link to display the CRD. During the review meeting, the reviewers activate the chart link to display the condensed version of the CRD for a review of the required changes. An annotation is inserted into the review database table in response to completing the review. The annotation indicates a readiness for an approval process in which the CRD is approved by approvers. A comment link to a sign off comment is inserted into a sign off database table. The sign off comment indicates an approval of the CRD.

Abstract: There is provided a portable communication terminal capable of switching between icon display and non-display. Processes executed by a control unit of a portable phone which is an aspect of the portable communication terminal comprises the steps of detecting, during the execution of an icon-bar displaying process, a press of an operation key, terminating outputting icon data if the operation key is associated with the icon-bar non-display function and if there is already no icon bar being displayed, detecting a press of the operation key, and executing the icon-bar displaying process if the operation key is associated with the icon-bar display function and if there is no icon bar being displayed.

Abstract: A computer system is used to create an application. An application is created using an authoring environment. The application is converted into a master application template by creating an application representation and creating associated metadata that define at least one allowable modification that may be made to the application representation. An application is created from the master application template, and the application and master application template are submitted to a certification body for certification. The certification process affirms that the application, with any modification to the application specified by the master application template metadata, meets all requirements for certification. The certified master application template is used to create a certified application.

Abstract: The invention provides an image display apparatus that includes a display image creation unit capable of creating a display image that has a plurality of objects superposed on each other; a image display unit capable of displaying the display image created by the display image creation unit on a display; a selection-and-judgment unit capable of receiving selection input from an external source, and based on the selection input, determining which one of the plurality of objects in the display image is selected; and an index information arrangement unit capable of placing an index image at a position different from the position of the display image on the display, wherein the index image visually indicates which of the plurality of objects is determined to be selected by the selection-and-judgment unit, wherein the image display unit displays the index image on the display in addition to the display image.

Abstract: In various embodiments, user support in computer software applications may be provided on the basis of user interaction histories. Critical points may be defined throughout the applications and the user interaction histories at these critical points may be stored and indexed for future retrieval. User interaction histories at these critical points may also be scored to determine, for example, whether the system should intervene. In some embodiments, when providing user support, an entity may access the user interaction history (e.g., using the index). The user interaction history may assist the entity in determining how to assist the system user at their current point in the application. In some embodiments, user support may be not limited to assisting the system user with a problem. For example, user support may include presenting a promotion or advertisement to the system user based on the user interaction history.

Abstract: A guidance display device that displays appropriate guidance for a screen, wherein the screen includes display regions. Specifically a guidance display region for guiding a user's operation includes: guidance content holding units which previously hold guidance display contents respectively corresponding to display regions to be operated by the user and are included in one screen; a guidance synthesis unit which obtains the guidance display contents respectively corresponding to the display regions from the guidance content holding units, and synthesizes the obtained guidance display contents into one; and a guidance display unit which displays the guidance display contents synthesized by the guidance synthesis unit on the screen.

Abstract: A software tool automatically places files and folders of a software program within segments of a DVD. The segments are defined by security placeholders, and the disposition of the placeholders is initially randomly determined, consistent with predefined rules. The placeholders are included on the disc to hinder unauthorized copying. A developer generally defines the order in which the files and folders are to be laid out, and the software tool automatically places the files and folders, filling successive segments and shifting the placeholders to accommodate files that will not fit in a current segment. However, any movement of the placeholders must be done by the tool and is only permitted if the new disposition of the placeholder is in accord with the predefined rules. A user can manually modify the automated layout, and in response, the files and folders are automatically shifted to accommodate the changes introduced by the user.

Abstract: User behavior while interacting with one or more first representations of digital content can be monitored. Interaction information can be determined by monitoring the user behavior while interacting. Interaction information can include information identifying interaction areas of the first representation, degree of interaction information, and sequence of interaction information. The interaction information can be maintained and used to deform a second representation of digital content. The first and second representations can be of the same or different digital content.

Abstract: A method, user interface module, application program interface, computer program product and system that provides access to context information in a display window that remains persistent as the user navigates the application and views application data. The persistent dashboard can be populated from a communications event, such as an inbound telephone call; from data entered by the customer service agent via the user interface, such as a response to one of a series of scripted questions; from search results of a user-initiated search; or from application data displayed in a display window of the user interface. Various types of information from enterprise databases can be captured in the persistent dashboard to address the enterprise's business processes and needs. Information displayed in the persistent dashboard is configurable.

Abstract: Successively displaying panels in a computer user interface. A method includes displaying a first panel of a plurality of panels. Each of the panels includes different information. The computer user interface has a plurality of navigation controls by which a user can navigate to any of the panels to access its information. A first setting of the navigation controls causes the first panel to be displayed. A user input requesting access to a second panel is received, there being at least two settings of the navigation controls that will cause the second panel to be displayed. The method includes ceasing to display the first panel and displaying the second panel using one of the at least two different settings by which more of the navigation controls remain unchanged from the first setting. Methods may be used in hierarchies and in arrangements that do not form trees.

Abstract: A method may include determining a plurality of sets of interaction events, each set of interaction events associated with a use of a user interface. Determining common interaction events among the sets. Determining a common interaction path including an ordered sequence of the common interaction events. Providing a simulation associated with the common interaction path including rendering the common interaction events in the ordered sequence.

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering personalized digest documents to multiple users. The system includes a profile module, a content management module, a document creation module, and an interface. The profile module receives a delivery preference of one of the users, and receives at least one of a user attribute and a content preference of the one user. The content management module searches at least one location for content items that match at least one of the user attribute and the content preference. The document creation module receives at least one of the content items that match, and compiles a personalized digest document for the one user that includes the at least one content item that matches. The personalized digest document is in a print-ready format, and the interface delivers the personalized digest document to the one user in accordance with the delivery preference of the one user. Also provided is a method for delivering personalized digest documents to multiple users.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for re-creating events occurring within a Web application is provided. The method includes receiving a request to perform an action from a client system accessing the Web application over a network. The method also includes generating a log file for the client system and recording the request and a timestamp of the request in the log file. The method further includes collecting client system information, executing the request, and recording the client system information and request execution details in the log file. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the method includes generating scripts to re-create the request and the request execution details, executing the scripts within the Web application and the operating environment of the client system that is re-produced using the client system information, and recording and evaluating results of execution of the scripts to identify any issues or evaluate client system experiences with the Web application.

Abstract: A system for dynamically updating user accessible features of a software application on a client computer has a user interface, a local usage data file, and a data mining engine. The user interface is adapted to receive operator inputs. The local usage data file is adapted to store usage information corresponding to the operator inputs. The data mining engine is adapted to process the stored usage information and to generate local adjustments to a user interface of the software application based on the operator inputs. In one embodiment, a server is adapted to receive usage data from a plurality of application instances on a plurality of client computers and to generate global adjustments based on the received usage data. In one embodiment, the system has a merge feature adapted to blend and resolve conflicts between local and global adjustments to generate an interface adjustment for the user interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the screen display appearance for a digital processing system. In one exemplary embodiment, a data value, typically stored in a non-volatile memory, is retrieved; this data value represents an appearance of an enclosure of a digital processing system. An appearance of a display of this digital processing system is then set based upon the appearance of the enclosure. In one example, the appearance is the color of the enclosure which determines various colors and backgrounds of objects in a graphical user interface of the digital processing system. Other methods, apparatuses and computer readable media for causing methods to be performed are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for entering data (12-15) in a data processing system (1). In this case, the data (12-15) is entered in a number of steps (2-5), with a view being displayed at a step (2-5) in a display region (19) of a display means (6), with the entering and/or display taking place in subsequent steps (2-5) at least partially as a function of the data (12-15) entered in one or a number of preceding steps (2-5). To design the step-by-step entering of data in a more user friendly manner, it is proposed to simultaneously display the views (16-18) of a number of consecutive steps (2-5)in the display region (19).

Abstract: A method for providing a simplified menu for a device, by providing a GUI for selecting setting items for display and setting values. Those settings that are different from the standard settings are displayed more prominently, resulting in a display that enables an instantaneous confirmation of the settings. Clicking on tabs to display different menu pages is unnecessary. Those settings that are the same as the standard settings are displayed less conspicuously, such as grayed-out or invisible. Methods include displaying the custom settings as the first tab in the menu, indicating that all the settings are standard, customizing factory-default settings of a printer device, assigning profile names, searching for a profile close to the current settings, differential tree that expands only the branches containing salient settings, associating a setting with another setting, and using a scripting language to specify the setting combinations.

Abstract: A computer-human interface provides a mechanism to manage the available space of a computer display in a manner that facilitates navigation among multiple windows that are overlaid upon one another. The interface includes a user-selectable mode in which the windows are rearranged, and resized if necessary, so that all open windows can be simultaneously viewed within the area of the display, thereby enabling any one of the windows to be easily selected for access. In effect, the presentation of the windows is “flattened” so that all windows appear at the same virtual depth, rather than overlapping one another. With this approach, there is no need to minimize windows in order to access one that is overlaid by another, thereby enabling the user to keep the content of all windows visible and accessible. Subsets of windows can be repositioned in the same manner, or all windows can be removed from the display area for access to desktop objects.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for automatically generating customizable user interfaces using programming patterns are disclosed. According to one method, application objects of an application computer program are analyzed to identify programming patterns. Each programming pattern is a relationship among signatures of application methods in one of the application objects. The signatures of the application methods include public interfaces of the application methods. A user interface is automatically generated for the computer program. Automatically generating a user interface includes providing for at least one of a user and a programmer of the computer program to customize mappings between the application objects and user interface elements, where the user interface elements include at least one of user interface widgets and speech grammar rules.

Abstract: An access log analyzer processes an access log to identify file access information associated with accessed regions of one or more files. Based on information in the access log as well as information potentially retrieved from the other sources such as a file system or disk on which the files are stored, the access log analyzer initiates display of a respective graphical representation for each of the one or more files. In addition to displaying the graphical representations themselves, the access log analyzer displays visual renderings at relative locations in association with the graphical representations to identify accessed regions of the one or more file as indicated by the file access information in the access log. Accordingly, a user can view a visual depiction of the contents of a disk access log and easily identify respective access patterns associated with the one or more files.

Abstract: A system indirectly infers concepts associated with a document. The concepts may be indirectly inferred based on information that does not include characteristics of the document, such as the characteristics that include a textual content of the document not associated with links included in the document, a domain of the document, and the document's Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The system may label the inferred concepts as useful to an audience of the document.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reminding a user to browse a regularly visited website comprising tracking websites visited by the user and ranking each website by visitation frequency and browsing duration. An average recurring time each website is visited is calculated and it is determined whether the current time is equal to the average recurring time for a particular website. The user is reminded to visit the particular website if it is determined that the user is not currently browsing the particular website when the current time equals the average recurring time for the particular website.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that uses natural user position and natural user motion to position and layout interface elements for a pen-based computer display. Graphical user interfaces, such as a slider or menu, are popped-up at a position convenient to the user, such as at the current position of the cursor. A rectilinear interface is oriented along a natural motion arc of the user, such as an elbow arc. An arc shaped interface can also be positioned along a natural motion arc, such as the elbow arc, and be shaped according the elbow are or be shaped by another natural motion arc such as a wrist arc of the user. The interface arc, whether shaping or orienting the interface, can be a single motion arc, such as an elbow arc, a composite arc of an elbow arc and a wrist arc, a sequence of an elbow arc and a wrist arc, a compound arc where an elbow arc blends into a wrist arc or an arc followed by a linear interface section.

Abstract: A media presentation apparatus includes a user preference storage module to store a user preference associated with a user activity and a content selection, coupled to a content selection module to select a content offering based on the user preference. A system includes a media presentation apparatus coupled to a preference manipulation apparatus. A method of processing user preferences includes storing a user preference associated with a user activity and a content selection, and selecting a content offering based on the user preference. The content offering can be selected from a plurality of offerings, based on a combination of user preferences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used for evaluating usability of displayed material having a plurality of portions by displaying a set of the plurality of portions in an unintelligible format; making intelligible each of the set of the plurality of portions as each is indicated by actions of a user; determining the sequence of the indicated portions; and recording a selection of a subset of the set of the plurality of portions and the determined sequence.

Abstract: A method includes defining a set of attributes associated with at least one resource, determining that a resource matches the set of attributes within a context and displaying the resource as a selectable resource graphical object on a user device. The method may include defining the set of attributes by receiving information that defines an object class of the at least one resource.

Abstract: Improving object organization by presenting controlling attribute-specific lists is disclosed. For example, the object can be an email and the controlling attribute the sender of the email. Sender-specific lists are dynamically maintained and can include the most recent folders into which email have been moved. When a current email is selected, or when the user otherwise so indicates, a sender-specific list for the sender of the current email is displayed to the user. The user can select one of the folders from the list into which to move the current email. Besides email, the object can be a file, such that the controlling attribute can be the creator of the file.

Abstract: A user interface allows centralized creation and management control for a business having one or more web site storefronts engaged in commerce through the Internet. The interface is for use within a web browser and includes a first display area and a second display area. The first display area is for presenting access to two or more control panels to create, manage (or maintain) and operate a web site for the small business engaged in commerce of at least one of goods or services. The second display area is visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the first display area, and provides information associated with the commerce involving the web site.

Abstract: A system and method of windows management. The system and method comprises at least one window having information displayed thereon and a processor for determining an application type associated with the at least one window and rendering the at least one window at a predetermined opacity level based on the application type.

Abstract: Markers that describe a user's actions are monitored in order to determine his or her level of proficiency with a user interface. A proficiency level is determined based on the markers. The proficiency level is adjusted periodically or in response to trigger events, to provide updated proficiency level information as the user becomes more experienced. One or more user interface features are automatically configured according to the detected proficiency level, so that the user is presented with an interface that is appropriate for his or her level of proficiency.

Abstract: A power saving method for self-luminous displays and an apparatus thereof, comprises determining active and inactive portions of a display screen. The inactive portions of the display screen are modified in accordance with criteria to save power by reducing energy consumption of the inactive portions while the active portions remain powered.

Abstract: A browser parses an XHTML document to identify links in the document that are marked up with the accesskey attribute and forms an options list containing the links, so that they can be selected independently of their position in the document.

Abstract: A system for arranging symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a first symbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a second display priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second display priority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set.

Abstract: A system determines available system resources along with the complexity of video clips in order to initiate and adapt automatic video clip playback. A method automatically concurrently plays multiple video clips in at least one composite video image by automatically determining available processing resources based on a number of available processors and associated corresponding individual processor operational speed. The method involves automatically determining a number of video clips that may be concurrently played and displayed in a composite video image by the determined available processing resources based on a number of the multiple video clips and associated corresponding individual video clip compression type. The method also includes initiating concurrent play and display of the determined number of video clips in the composite video image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for organizing session applications. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes logic configured to display a user interface for initiating a command to launch a business application on a computer display of a user; logic configured to associate a launched business application with a user-session; logic configured to display a plurality of the business applications of an active session on the computer display; a first user interface control for allowing a user to initiate a command for organizing the displayed applications of the active session in a predetermined alignment across the computer display; and logic configured to arrange the displayed application of the active session after receiving the command from the user. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the format of a video display. The apparatus includes a profile module for defining at least one profile. The profile has at least one display characteristic of video information associated with a type of application. The apparatus also includes a runtime engine in communication with the profile module. The runtime engine accepts the video information, modifies the video information according to the profile, and outputs the modified video information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, display a graphical representation of data that changes over time, create a region in the graphical representation, retrieve data from a database based on the region, and create a graphical representation of the retrieved data. In various embodiment, a profile is created and the data is retrieved based on the profile. The profile may include a schedule for retrieving the data, an identification of the region, an identification of a key, an identification of an x-axis, and an identification of a y-axis. In an embodiment, an union of multiple profiles is created, and data in the database that is not represented by the union is deleted. In another embodiment, regions that are adjacent in time are concatenated. In another embodiment, the creation of the graphical representation may be separated into multiple units of work for execution in a network if a workload at a computer exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for making real-time communication user interfaces less intrusive by automatically adjusting the user interfaces based on the user's level of interaction. An initial representation of a user interface for real-time communication is displayed and automatically adapted to the user's activity level based on user input directed to the user interface. For example, the initial representation may be automatically adjusted, either reduced or enlarged, to an intermediate representation, a larger representation, or a smaller representation. When a representation is reduced, a message may be displayed to indicate the reduced representation's location. For smaller representations, subsequently received real-time messages may be displayed adjacent to the smaller representation, at least for a predetermined time. The initial representation may display in a desktop bar that displays other user interfaces, such as for a calendar, etc.

Abstract: A multi-format display device for video production and testing selectively presents a video input signal in three or more distinct ways to facilitate analysis. A complete picture, a picture zoom an area of particular scrutiny around a cursor position, tabular pixel information, a color swatch corresponding to pixel data values and graphic plots of picture data, audio and other information can be placed in areas of a formatted display. Predetermined or input pixel selection criteria can shift the display at least temporarily to identify pixels in the display that meet the criteria as the input video signal frames proceed.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a playlist for media objects are provided. The techniques include receiving a selection of a set of IDs. Each ID is generated based on content of a media objects. A playlist ID is then generated based on the set of IDs and a fixed representation of the playlist ID is created. The fixed representation allows a device to use the playlist ID to determine media objects including the content of media objects used to generate the set of IDs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing document-specific widgets in an application program. An application program is launched in a digital device. A document is opened in the application program. Configuration data pertaining to document-specific widgets to be included in the application program user interface is loaded. The document-specific widgets are specific to the opened document. Each document-specific widget defining a document-specific operation to be performed with respect to the document upon activation by a user The document-specific widgets are displayed in the application program user interface and the opened document is displayed to a user of the digital device in accordance with the configuration data.

Abstract: A system (and a method) is disclosed to render information of interest on a computing device. The system is configured to identify a plurality of time periods within in a database and to access a user profile. The user profile includes data on information of interest for a user. The system compares, for each time period, the user profile with that specific time period to determine the information of interest for the user within the specific time period. The system retrieves, in response to the comparison, information from at least one data source corresponding to the determined information of interest for the user within the specific time period. The system renders at a time relative to each time period a home screen on a display of the computing device, the home screen including the determined information of interest for the user within the specific time period.

Abstract: A user interface enables the input of text and other complicated inputs by identifying entities having an increased likelihood of being selected and decreasing the precision needed to select these entities. The user interface displays a set of entities in a radial pattern. The user manipulates a pointer with a joystick or other input device to select entities. The entities having a higher selection probabilities are allocated more space in the pattern than the other entities. The entities having a higher selection probabilities may also be emphasized with visual cues. Selection probabilities may be determined by comparing a sequence of entities previously selected, such as a partially input word, with a set of commonly selected sequences of entities, such as a set of words commonly used by users. The user interface can display a list of words corresponding with a sequence of selected entities, including characters from different writing systems.

Abstract: Up until now, when an employee had a personal change, it was possible that that employee did not know all of the items (events) that needed to registered with the company. This invention comprises a combination-storage means for storing a combination of one or a plurality of registration events that are associated with a procedure subject, and the procedure subject relating to clerical procedures, and a plurality of guidance means corresponding to a plurality of registration events and performing guidance for the user to result in input of data about said registration event. Also, based on the combination stored in the combination-storage means, a registration-event-extraction means extracts one or a plurality of registration events relating to a procedure subject selected by the user.