Focus Control Patents (Class 715/802)
  • Patent number: 8448088
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, an image display system includes an image display device configured to display a display image based on supply content, and a plurality of image supply devices. Each of the image supply devices includes a display section having a first display area configured to display the display image of the image display device. The image supply devices each include a content selection section configured to receive a selection of supply content from among a plurality of supply contents stored with the image supply device. The image display device is configured to receive the supply content from at least two of the image supply devices and display the supply content as the display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Kikuchi, Yuichi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 8448138
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for recording user-driven events within a computing system. An interface is established between a recorder application and an input method editor (“IME”) executing on the computer system. Through the use of the interface, the recorder application can obtain and record data identifying user-driven events that are performed within the IME. An interface is also established between the recorder application and a UI control that does not expose data regarding user-driven events through standard system calls. Through the use of the interface, the recorder application can obtain and record data identifying user-driven events detected at the UI control. The recorder application can also provide data identifying the recorded user-driven events directly to a bug tracking application program for inclusion in a bug database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Chieh Chang, Shu-Fang Huang, Yan-Mei Jiang, Ling-Ya Huang, Li Wen, Chih-Yung Chen, Michael Jen-Chiung Chang, Hung Ju King, Yuli Huang
  • Patent number: 8443297
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bringing a window into focus are provided. In some aspects, a method includes providing for display of a first window and a second window in a user interface. The first window is in focus. The second window is not in focus. The method includes receiving a user input for bringing the second window into focus. The method includes brightening at least a dimmed portion of the second window in response to the user input for bringing the second window into focus. The method includes gradually dimming at least a visible portion of the first window in response to the user input for bringing the second window into focus. The method includes pausing the dimming, after expiration of a time period, of the at least the visible portion of the first window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: John Nicholas Jitkoff, Daniel T. Erat
  • Patent number: 8443299
    Abstract: Methods, systems and program products for hiding the presentation of a first input field that would obscure the presentation of a distinct second input field on a display device. User input directed to the second input field is accepted and provided the first input field instead of to the second input field. The contents of the first input field are copied to the second input field. The presentation of the second input field is updated on the display device to include the copied contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Rupen Chanda, Jack Chen
  • Publication number: 20130117712
    Abstract: A system for interactive image analysis is disclosed, comprising an image visualization subsystem (1) for visualizing an image (8). An indicated position determiner (2) is arranged for determining an indicated position of a pointing device with respect to the image (8). A result determiner (3) is arranged for determining a result of a local image processing of the image (8) at the indicated position. A display subsystem (4) displays either at least part of the result of the local image processing (406) or a visible mark (407), based on the image processing result. The result of the local image processing is indicative of the presence or absence of an object (403) at or near the indicated position (404, 405), and the display subsystem (4) is arranged for displaying the visible mark (407) in the absence of such an object (403) at or near the indicated position (405).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Rafael Wiemker, Thomas Buelow, Sebastian Peter Michael Dries
  • Patent number: 8438498
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying a user interface on a display device, the user interface displaying a content item, in response to receiving input, displaying a user interface control panel including a user interface control, the user interface control configured to enable modifying one or more attributes of the content item, and in response to detecting a first selection of the user interface control, displaying a portion of the user interface control panel and hiding a portion of the user interface control panel, the displayed portion of the user interface control panel including the user interface control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhatt, Clem Holloman
  • Patent number: 8418076
    Abstract: A computing device and method for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators are provided. The computing device may include code stored in memory for implementing, via a processor, an actuator input module configured to receive a first actuator input from a first user input device actuator, and a second actuator input from a second user input device actuator. The computing device may further execute code to implement a window selection module configured to select a first selected window to which the first actuator input is sent according to predetermined selection rules, to select a second selected window to which the second actuator input is sent according to the predetermined selection rules, and to send the first actuator input to the first selected window and to send the second actuator input to the second selected window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Mail, Dan Odell, Tejas Mistry, Vadim Dmitriev, Nino Aldrin Lasco Sarmiento, Pavan Davuluri
  • Patent number: 8407612
    Abstract: A multi-document application that includes a multi-document interface that includes a view area that displays one document at a time and includes a tab group element that displays tabs, each tab having a control that permits a corresponding document to be visualized in the view area. A user may then designate that one or more of the tabs are to be pinned to thereby have the multi-document application assign a pinned status to the tab. The pinned status may be persisted such that when the multi-document application is closed and reloaded, the pinned status remains. Further, when a tab receives a pinned status, the tab does not display less information regarding the corresponding document as compared to before the tab was pinned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Radames Saul Cruz Moreno, James E. Bartlett, Adrian Michael Collier, Pradyumna Siddhartha
  • Patent number: 8381124
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a single-select method and system for launching clinical information in multiple dashboards based on a selection of a single piece of clinical information (e.g., based on a cursor-click selection of a patient name in a patient list). In some embodiments, each launched dashboard is a single “flat” dashboard that cannot be “drilled down” to another dashboard. In other embodiments, each launched dashboard can be a drilldown dashboard, i.e., a dashboard that is several dashboards that are linked together so that a user can navigate between them by selecting items displayed in the dashboards (e.g., by traversing from a first dashboard to a second dashboard through a selection of an item in a window pane of the first dashboard). Accordingly, some embodiments use the single-select method of some embodiments in lieu of drill-down dashboards, while other embodiments use the single-select method in conjunction with drill-down dashboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
  • Patent number: 8365093
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, a computer program, a wireless communications device, a browser and an apparatus to display an object to a viewer, where the displayed object has an associated area. In response to the viewer selecting the displayed object, the method, computer program product, wireless communications device, browser and apparatus display the object partitioned into a plurality of sub-areas. In response to the viewer selecting one of the sub-areas, information is saved related to the selection and at least one function associated with the selected sub-area is executed. In response to the viewer again selecting the object, the object is displayed partitioned into the plurality of sub-areas with a focus placed in accordance with the saved information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Mikko K. Mäkelä
  • Patent number: 8352879
    Abstract: A method for swapping display contents between a first and a second screen. The first screen is a primary screen. A window is displayed on one of the first and the second screen. The method includes: calculating a window movement distance according to a relative position between the first and the second screen; performing swapping to set the second screen as the primary screen; obtaining a coordinate of the window after swapping; obtaining a first coordinate by adding the window movement distance to the coordinate of the window after swapping if the window is located in the first screen before swapping; obtaining a second coordinate by subtracting the window movement distance from the coordinate of the window after swapping if the window is located in the second screen before swapping; moving the window from one of the first and the second screen to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chee-Chun Leung, Ming-Chuan Hu, Han-Hsing Ying, Chun-Ming Hu, Li-Da Chen
  • Patent number: 8341543
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing a scroll operation are disclosed. A method may include displaying a first page of a portable document format (pdf) document on a browser window, associating respective thumbnails with each of the pages in the pdf document, and displaying two or more of the respective thumbnails overlaid on the first page. The method may also include receiving an indication to scroll the pdf document in a first direction, scrolling the pages of the pdf document at a first rate in the first direction, and scrolling the respective thumbnails of each of the pages at a second rate, different than the first rate, in the first direction. The varying scroll rate of the document and its corresponding thumbnails provides the user with different viewing options to view the document when performing a scrolling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Roma Shah
  • Patent number: 8341541
    Abstract: A method referred to as visual window browsing allows a user to browse through windows on their desktop. Aspects of the invention include responsive to a command, moving open windows to form a visual stack with the topmost window in the stack being in focus. Responsive to a browse the windows in the visual stack can be browsed, where the topmost window moves to the bottom of the visual stack and the other windows move higher in the stack, with the second highest window becoming the topmost window and being in focus. Successive browse commands causes this behavior to repeat allowing a user to cycle through each of the open windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ales Holecek, Charles W. Stabb, Hillel N. Cooperman, Jeffrey W. Pettiross, Mark R. Ligameri, Kanwal VedBrat, Donald J. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8332206
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a definition or a translation is disclosed according to an aspect of the subject technology. The method comprises receiving an input indicating a word selected by a user, sending a definition request for the word to a definition server, receiving a response to the definition request from the definition server, sending a translation request for the word to a translation server, and receiving a response to the translation request from the translation server. The method also comprises determining whether to provide the user with a definition or a translation of the word based on the responses from the definition server and the translation server, and providing the user with the definition or the translation of the word based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Sadovsky, Awaneesh Verma, Chen Ding
  • Patent number: 8332769
    Abstract: A rendering engine that supports directional focus navigation, in response to a directional input, shifts the focus to an appropriate focusable element. The rendering engine determines one or more focusable elements that are candidates to receive the focus based on the received directional input and based on the relative display locations of the focusable elements. The rendering engine selects the most appropriate candidate focusable element based on each candidate element's display location in relation to the display location of the element that currently has focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tantek Celik, Ada Y. Chan, Bradley R. Pettit
  • Publication number: 20120304115
    Abstract: A method and system for marking a location with a mobile device, uploading location information from the marked location to a location based service, creating a web page for the location information, and adding descriptive content to the web page pertaining to the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Samuli MATTILA, Andreas Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20120284665
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for remote active window sensing of a display in a computing device and reporting of the same. The system includes a tool including a remote monitoring and reporting component configured to monitor active windows of one or more remote devices and provide a report to a presenter as to whether the active windows of the one or more remote devices are for a presentation of the presenter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fronz F. BATOT, Adam R. HOLLEY, Randy S. JOHNSON, Tedrick N. NORTHWAY, Howard N. SMALLOWITZ
  • Patent number: 8302020
    Abstract: An authoring environment for creating and/or editing user interface elements such as widgets used in a unified interest layer. The authoring environment facilitates creation of widgets that have a consistent appearance and mechanism, and allows third-party developers to easily create widgets that have a look and feel that is consistent with a predefined set of widgets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John O. Louch, Andrew M. Grignon, Timothy Wayne Bumgarner, Eric Steven Peyton, Maxwell O. Drukman
  • Patent number: 8291332
    Abstract: A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Imran A. Chaudhri, John Louch, Andrew M. Grignon, Gregory N. Christie
  • Patent number: 8291340
    Abstract: Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a method and apparatus for presenting unsolicited data to users without interrupting the user's activities, wherein the presentation of the unsolicited data is monitored and is available for review by the user at the user's convenience. Embodiments of the invention comprise a content and display manager, wherein the content and display manager include a display monitor, a content delivery system and a content controller. The display monitor selects the display of content to the users, in part, by reviewing a marker which defines the last time that content was displayed to the user and the type of content displayed. The content delivery system transmits a content window to a user computer via the controller. The controller controls the downloading of the content and initially displays the content window in front of a first browser window position and then displays the content window behind the first browser window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hoshiko LLC
    Inventor: Brian Shuster
  • Patent number: 8291339
    Abstract: An electronic equipment has a display that can display a plurality of screens and a display controller that can switch displays of the screens. The display and the controller enable an operator to change a set value of at least one item. A setting change receiver can receive from the operator an instruction of changing a set value of each item in a currently displayed screen when the display controller allows the display portion to display one of the screens. The display controller allows a display part of the item whose set value is changed most recently in the screen whose set value is changed to be displayed transmissively on a subsequently displayed screen when the currently displayed screen is switched to the subsequently displayed screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Tanaka, Junko Itou
  • Publication number: 20120260197
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an open services gateway initiative (OSGi)-based service is provided. The image forming apparatus may include a user interface (UI) unit to receive a service execution command for a first bundle to provide at least one service, and a control unit which controls the UI unit to display a UI of a second bundle to provide at least one service, the second bundle having UI expansion information for the first bundle in one region of a UI window corresponding to the first bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-young HWANG
  • Patent number: 8286106
    Abstract: A method for interacting with a computing device, involving presenting a first mode of a touch interface, where the touch interface is configured as a user interface of the computing device, where the touch interface comprises at least one status icon, and where in the first mode, the status icon is not selectable by touch input. The method further includes receiving, from a user using the computing device, a first input indicating a desire to switch from the first mode to a second mode of the touch interface; and in response to receiving the first input, presenting the user with the second mode of the touch interface, where in the second mode, the status icon is selectable by touch input, and where the status icon displays a corresponding status of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric D. Bergman
  • Patent number: 8276144
    Abstract: The drive for multi-tasking and/or availability of numerous applications can interfere with productivity. Constant interruptions from email and real-time online communication can lead to decreased productivity. In addition, attempting to tackle a massive number of different projects with different applications can impede progress on any one of the projects. Functionality can be implemented in a workspace to focus interaction with one or more applications in the workspace. Focused interaction allows a user to limit distractions (e.g., email notifications, instant message notifications, etc) and restrict activities not related to his or her current task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Burkhart, Vitaly V. Marin, Eduardo L. Reyes
  • Patent number: 8266538
    Abstract: A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Imran A. Chaudhri, John Louch, Andrew M. Grignon, Gregory N. Christie
  • Patent number: 8255828
    Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls and for presenting logical groupings of particular functionality controls associated with a selected top-level functionality. Underneath a row of top-level functionality tabs, functionalities controls associated with a given top-level functionality tab are presented in logical groupings. Selection of a particular tab switches modes of the user interface to present controls for functionalities associated with the selected tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jensen M. Harris, Aaron M. Butcher, David A. Morton, Jesse Clay Satterfield, Justin Denney
  • Patent number: 8245154
    Abstract: Task switching among windows on a graphical user interface. Responsive to user action (such as simultaneously pressing the ALT and TAB keys), a task selection window is displayed in which an iconic representation is provided for a plurality of windows, including at least one child window, and the iconic representations are arranged according to how recently the associated window had focus. Responsive to user action (such as pressing the TAB key while the ALT key remains depressed), a selection indicator moves through the selectable iconic representations in the order of the recency of the focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher K. Karstens
  • Patent number: 8239775
    Abstract: This invention relates to a computer simulated environment, such as a virtual world, and to the identification of a user entering the virtual world and user context in the virtual world model. An output of the virtual world model may be rendered using objects in the virtual world model. Previous versions of the rendered objects may then be located in associated user memory and specified differences between the rendered objects and the previous versions of the objects may be identified. A layer of the identified differences may then be rendered on the rendered output of the virtual world model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Conor Peter Beverland, Christopher Edward Sharp, Matthew Whitbourne
  • Patent number: 8228435
    Abstract: When a user hovers a screen cursor over a TV channel icon on a cross-media bar (XMB) user interface (UI) for a threshold period, enhanced metadata from PSIP/XDS/EPG that pertains to the program currently available on the associated TV channel is presented in a pop-up window on the XMB UI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyehoon Yi
  • Patent number: 8230359
    Abstract: The system described herein facilitates multi-tasking in a computing environment. A focus area component defines a focus area within a display space—the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space area. A scaling component scales display objects as a function of proximity to the focus area, and a behavior modification component modifies respective behavior of the display objects as a function their location of the display space. Thus, and more particularly the subject invention provides for interaction technique(s) and user interface(s) in connection with managing display objects on a display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Robertson, Eric J. Horvitz, Daniel C. Robbins, Gregory R. Smith, Mary P. Czerwinski, Patrick Markus Baudisch
  • Patent number: 8225229
    Abstract: A device may determine an area at which a user gazes on the display screen. The device may identify on the display screen a screen region which does not overlap the area, may darken the identified screen region, and/or may refresh the display screen by updating a screen region that overlaps the area and not updating the identified screen region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Ola Karl Thorn, Simon Lessing
  • Publication number: 20120174030
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for consistent navigation among higher-level and lower-level windows on a device's display screen. A user can consistently navigate from one higher-level window to another and use the same navigation tools to navigate among the lower-level windows (if any) within a higher-level window. Some embodiments present a set of small “overviews” to the user. Each overview corresponds to one of the higher-level windows. In addition to the set of overviews, a larger “preview” can be shown of the window with focus. If the window with focus contains lower-level windows, then the preview can include “snapshots” of those lower-level windows. In some embodiments, a “title bar” provides more information about the window with focus, such as the title of that window. When a lower-level window is currently active within the higher-level window with focus, the title bar can show information about that active lower-level window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: MOTOROLA-MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventors: Nirmalya Barat, Brian M. Collins, Ansuman Tapan Satpathy
  • Patent number: 8214760
    Abstract: A method and computer-storage media for minimizing application windows based on a triggering event are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include determining that a triggering event has occurred with respect to a target window, automatically minimizing all of the minimizable application windows except the target application window, and generating an undo record that may be used to restore the minimized windows upon the determination that a second triggering event has occurred with respect to the target window. In one embodiment, the triggering event is shaking the target application window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Matthews, Song Zou, Bret P. Anderson, Jared C. Simpson, Pai-Hung Chen, Patrice L. Miner
  • Patent number: 8214758
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is configured to execute a plurality of operations in parallel. A display unit displays a header identifying each operation in a plurality of operation on a display unit. A control unit switches a current operation based on selection of the header via an input unit and, when switching the current operation, controls display of suspension information to indicate a suspension state of a suspended operation on the header for the suspended operation in addition to the current operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8204847
    Abstract: Ideas, groups of ideas, projects, documents, and related materials may be depicted, organized, modified, and shared according to Idea Page systems, methods, and user interfaces. Published workflow templates may additionally be copied into a user context, modified, and depicted in a multi-level visual space, including first-level ideas organized and visually arranged in a first-level idea page, and second-level ideas organized and visually arranged in a second-level idea page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Kerika, Inc.
    Inventors: Arun Kumar, Michael Mowery
  • Patent number: 8201097
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a detector and a display controller. The detector detects a user operation performed by using a first input interface and a user operation performed by using a second input interface. When the detector detects that an operation using the second input interface has been performed while a predetermined screen is displayed on the basis of detection of an operation using the first input interface, the display controller changes the predetermined screen to a screen containing an object indicating that the object can be operated by an operation using the second input interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohito Kondo, Akari Hoshi, Satoshi Akagawa, Tomohiro Tsuyuhara, Zhezhu Jin
  • Patent number: 8201100
    Abstract: Scroll wheels have simplified the movement of cursors and changes in focus as a users navigate their way through menus, lists, tables, and other objects typically found in graphical user interfaces. Also typical of navigation schemes driven by scroll wheels is the ability of the user to accelerate the rate of movement of the cursor or focus by spinning the scroll wheel faster. One issue with this behavior is that a user who over accelerates the scroll wheel will often wind up overshooting his intended target and reversing the direction of the scroll wheel several times. The embodiment addresses this problem by giving control of the speed of the cursor or focus movement to the object being navigated. If the granularity of the list, table, menu, or other objects become smaller, the object has the ability to filter the speed input of the scroll wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Vizio Inc.
    Inventors: William Pat Price, Timothy Elliott, Marcus P Apitz, Peter Schwartz, Jeffrey Briller
  • Patent number: 8191011
    Abstract: A media system is described including a graphical display that presents an iconic menu and a textual menu. The iconic menu includes a plurality of icons arranged in a two-dimensional collection, where each icon provides access to media content. The textual menu includes a structured textual list that provides access to a media library including the media content. The iconic menu may be unlocked responsive to a first user input received at the user input device and may be locked responsive to a second user input received at the user input device. The plurality of icons of the iconic menu may be shuffled relative to each other without shuffling the structured textual list responsive to motion of the media system. The plurality of icons may be maintained in a fixed relative arrangement even if motion of the media system occurs if the iconic menu is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thamer Abanami, Jeffrey Fong
  • Patent number: 8185843
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying a user interface on a display device, the user interface displaying a content item, in response to receiving input, displaying a user interface control panel including a user interface control, the user interface control configured to enable modifying one or more attributes of the content item, and in response to detecting a first selection of the user interface control, displaying a portion of the user interface control panel and hiding a portion of the user interface control panel, the displayed portion of the user interface control panel including the user interface control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhatt, Clem Holloman
  • Publication number: 20120124514
    Abstract: Architecture that facilitates the directing of viewer focus on selected content in the presentation document. Focus is visually represented using a focus viewport, which provides a bounded area in which the content of focus is enhanced for viewing, while content outside the viewport is impaired from being viewed. Selecting on a particular point or location in the document automatically activates the focus viewport and applies focus (e.g., enlarged viewing) to an area proximate the selection point. The content selected for focus can be tagged as a landmark section, which is then stored with other content tagged as landmark sections, some or all of which can then be run as frames in a movie strip for continuous review.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Nino Yuniardi
  • Patent number: 8171422
    Abstract: In a system and method for displaying data, a processor may simultaneously scroll at different paces through a first data and through a second data in response to a single scroll instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Volker Sauermann
  • Patent number: 8166417
    Abstract: In a case where a display control apparatus displays images A and B from respective PCs, a positioning operation using a positional device is started in an area of image A and continuously preformed in the area of that image. The apparatus determines whether or not a position designated in the area of image A has a predetermined positional relationship with an area of image B, partly covering the image A. If it is determined that the designated position has the predetermined positional relationship with the area of image B, the apparatus makes image B transparent. The apparatus then issues coordinates data indicating the designated position in the area of image B, to the PC for outputting image A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadahiko Iijima
  • Publication number: 20120096394
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method for presenting a design model on a computing device. The method may comprise using a computer processor to identify relationships among a plurality of model entities of the design model, to present a model view area to display a selected view of the design model on a display area of the computing device; and to present a view switch containing a plurality of view options. The plurality of view options may include a shape flow view. In the shape flow view, the model view area may display a detailed view of a model entity currently in focus and symbol(s) representing neighboring model entities in horizontal and/or vertical directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: SAP AG
    Inventors: Soeren Balko, Kathrin Julia Fleischmann, Alexander Dreiling
  • Publication number: 20120096397
    Abstract: Providing a bridge interface for managing virtual workspaces is disclosed. A plurality of workspace images is presented in a user interface, each workspace image corresponding to a different virtual workspace available to a user of a computer system. A user input indicating a selection of a presented workspace image is received. The user interface is updated to display a plurality of application windows associated with the selected virtual workspace in addition to displaying the plurality of workspace images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Bas Ording, John O. Louch
  • Patent number: 8161417
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the usability of a touch screen on a moving mobile device are provided. Upon determining the mobile device is moving in a pattern that is consistent with a person walking while carrying the mobile device, a new interface that is easier to use is displayed. The new interface may be easier to use than a standard interface by showing less action buttons, zooming into a portion of the standard interface, and/or by requiring less user input to complete a requested task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Woojae Lee
  • Publication number: 20120084726
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for minimizing application windows displayed on one or more displays of a multi-screen device. A device may display a dual screen application which is displayed across both screens. Depending upon which screen is used to launch (or reopen) an application, the dual screen application may be minimized to the other screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: IMERJ LLC
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sirpal, Paul Edward Reeves, Alexander de Paz, Jared L. Ficklin, Denise Burton
  • Publication number: 20120084724
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provides for changing a user interface for a multi-screen device. The user interface can change based on the movement of a window. The system can receive a user interface event that modifies the display of windows in the user interface. Upon receiving the user interface event, the system determines if a window has been covered or uncovered. If a window has been covered, the window is placed in a sleep state. If a window is uncovered, the window is activated from a sleep state. A sleep state is a window state where an application associated with the window does not receive user interface inputs and/or does not render the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: IMERJ LLC
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sirpal, Paul Edward Reeves, Ron Cassar, Nikhil Swaminathan, John Steven Visosky
  • Publication number: 20120084723
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for changing a user interface for a multi-screen device. The user interface can change based on the movement of a window. The system can receive a user interface event that modifies the display of windows in the user interface. Upon receiving the user interface event, the system determines if a window has been covered or uncovered. If a window has been covered, the window is placed in a sleep state. If a window is uncovered, the window is activated from a sleep state. A sleep state is a window state where an application associated with the window does not receive user interface inputs and/or does not render the window. Moreover, in a sleep state an image representing the window is maintained in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: IMERJ LLC
    Inventors: Paul Edward Reeves, Tong Chen
  • Publication number: 20120084725
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methodologies and devices for handling the display of hierarchically related windows in a single-screen communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: IMERJ LLC
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sirpal, Paul E. Reeves, Alexander de Paz, Jared L. Ficklin, Denise Burton, Gregg Wygonik
  • Patent number: 8146016
    Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for displaying a gallery of images showing different formatting options combinations that may be applied to a selected object. When a particular image is selected an associated formatting options combination is automatically applied to the selected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew M. Himberger, Tracey M. Gauthier, Aaron M. Butcher, Jensen M. Harris, Jesse Clay Satterfield