Abstract: A display device which displays a plurality of objects on a screen has a group configuration storage section for storing association information indicating the association between each of the plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups, a group priority level storage section for storing group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups, an object priority level storage section for storing object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the others, an object priority level changing section for changing the object display priority level while the association information is maintained, and a display section for displaying the plurality of objects according to the group display priority levels and the object display priority levels.

Abstract: A computer system that assists the user of computer drawing programs is described. The computer system runs an application that displays modeless windows by first displaying an application window that presents information associated with the application. After the application window is created, the computer system displays a modeless child window that overlaps the application window, and within the modeless child window information associated with the application is presented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for electronic-based communication between a plurality of remote users. The system includes a plurality of remote workstations, interconnected via a communication network, so that users may simultaneously view a target file. Further, the system may permit one or more of the users to view additional information, such as annotations or notes that relate to the target file. Such additional information may be part of the target file or it may be a separate file that corresponds to the target file. Also disclosed are methods for using such a system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing graphical user interfaces are described. overlaid, Information-bearing windows whose contents remain unchanged for a predetermined period of time become translucent. The translucency can be graduated so that, over time, if the window's contents remain unchanged, the window becomes more translucent. In addition to visual translucency, windows according to the present invention also have a manipulative translucent quality. Upon reaching a certain level of visual translucency, user input in the region of the window is interpreted as an operation on the underlying objects rather than the contents of the overlaying window.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image display method, an image display apparatus and a camera, which display a list of a plurality of images arranged in such a way that individual images at least partially overlie one another, sequentially enlarge and display the images in the displayed list, and cause the enlarged and displayed images to disappear from a screen. In displaying a list of images, the images can be arranged in such a way that an important portion of each image is not hid by another image. Schemes of causing an image to disappear from the screen include fade-out of an image and movement of an image out of the screen.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic ways of prioritizing the presentation of windows on a graphical user interface (GUI) and for prioritizing and accessing information stored in cache that is used by a web browser. The viewing (tiling) priority of windows, the size of windows, and the position of windows on a GUI are automatically determined from the following criteria: the time the window was first opened, the time the window was last opened, the length of time the window was visible on the screen, the percentage visibility of the window, the amount of scrolling the window has undergone, the content of the window, the time of day, the number of window accesses, and/or some mathematical function of these criteria. Additionally, these same criteria are applied to cached information associated with web pages so that more “relevant” cached web pages are automatically stored in cache for longer periods of time before being discarded in a finite sized cache.

Abstract: A display window is attributed a layering attribute such that underlying display windows are blended with the layered display window and displayed on the display screen. In a first embodiment, the layered window and the underlying window are represented as bitmaps. Any overlapping portions of the underlying window bitmap are redirected to an underlay buffer and composited with the layered window bitmap according to a display order and an opacity level. In a second embodiment, the layered window and the underlying window are represented as hardware sprites. Graphics device hardware stores copies of each sprite and composites each sprite according to a display order and an opacity level. In either embodiment or in a combination of both, as the layered window is moved or resized, the stored data allows for updating the composite display without requiring system expensive display regenerations.

Abstract: A display system uses so called rapid sequential visual presentation (RSVP) in which words are presented one after another in time, in a window for reading by a user. To provide context information, a thumbnail view of the document page or the section of text is also generated, and is used to indicate the location in the section of text of the word currently displayed in the RSVP window. In one example, an indicator is generated within the thumbnail view to show the position, and the indicator is moved automatically as the RSVP sequence advances. In another example, the thumbnail view is positioned in a background display pane behind the RSVP window, and the thumbnail view is moved relative to the RSVP window to indicate the current position in the text.

Abstract: A method of displaying information within a three-dimensional workspace on a computer display includes partitioning the workspace into a plurality of layers, where each layer corresponds to a display depth relative to a user. At least one substantially opaque container object is displayed at a first display depth. The user is provided with a pointer operative to select objects within the three-dimensional workspace at a plurality of display depths. In response to the user selecting a container object, the opacity level of the selected container object is reduced in order to reveal at least one content object contained therein. The at least one content object contained within the selected container object is displayed at a deeper display depth relative to the first display depth. By combining three-dimensional depth cues with opacity level adjustment the present invention provides a visually pleasing computer workspace with enhanced depth perception and organization features.

Abstract: Most software applications of the present time have graphic user interface comprising of a document display window and a document supporting substrate area. The document display window is the area where the application user inputs the data and views the results. The substrate areas contain the menus, tools, controls and other accessories, which support the execution of the document. The focus of the application user most of the time is the document window. The substrate area is accessed only intermittently for using the menus, tools and other controls. Depending upon the type of application and the view settings, about 60 to 80 percent of the visible display area is covered by the document window. The remaining 40 to 20 percent is the substrate area.

Abstract: A method includes creating a first window to receive video which at least partially overlaps a second window on a region of overlap of the display. Pixels of the first window are set to a chroma color. Background pixels of the second window in the region of overlap are also set to the chroma color, The second window is configured to draw after the first window.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering on-screen windows for display is disclosed in which an active window partially overlaps an inactive window and hides a portion of the inactive window. The movement of a mouse pointer is monitored to determine its location on the screen. In response to the inactive window being selected with the mouse pointer, the inactive window is given focus to enable the inactive window to receive event signals even though a portion of the inactive window remains hidden, whereby original display depths of the windows is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of maintaining and controlling the ordering and placement for display of individual GUI windows into groups or “decks” similar to a deck of playing cards on a desktop area of a computer display. The decks comprise collections of cascaded windows. The method and system control the decks such that the title bars of all windows of the deck are always simultaneously visible to the user no matter which window is selected as the active window. The act of moving the current top window back into a new position in the deck is defined as “shuffling” the windows. The method and system further provide auto-deck processes that automatically cascade defined applications, such as Internet Explorer windows, into a deck. In addition, the method and system may also include user-definable options as to the order of the shuffle, and includes the ability to drag the active window out of the deck and to drag any window into the deck.

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: A display system displays web pages from web sites located on data communications networks such as the Internet network. The display system has display controls and a plurality of non-overlapping display areas. Each display area has independent display area controls and independently displays a web page. The display controls include a sizing control operable by a user to alter a size of all display areas simultaneously with one control action. The display system in an embodiment includes a browser software program to provide communications and display support. The browser software program is executed in only one instance to provide the support for the plurality of display areas. The display controls also include a designator control operable by a user to designate the number of the non-overlapping display areas to be displayed. The display controls also include a drag and drop control for universal reference locators.

Abstract: A hand-portable electronic device comprising: a user input for receiving commands from a user; a display having at least a first portion and a second portion; a processor arranged to provide a symbolic calendar application in which an entry for an event associated with a day is visually representable by only one of a first plurality of predetermined symbols in the first portion of the display and an entry for an event associated with a time of a day is visually representable in the second portion of the display, wherein while the calendar application enables the viewing of a first day of the calendar:

Abstract: A recording medium retaining data for menu control, a menu control method and an apparatus are provided for creating a menu highly expressive and attractive to the viewer. When operation of a menu button is determined on a menu created with a moving picture with sound, the menu button turns into action highlighting and the color of the button changes into a highlight color. In order to emphasize action highlighting of the menu button, a specific short moving picture with a sound is automatically replayed. After the replay of the moving picture, the display jumps to a chapter of a title selected with the menu button and a replay is started.