Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for expanding a desktop. Especially the invention relates to a method and arrangement for expanding a desktop virtually. The objects of the invention are fulfilled by relating an audible sound to the application, window or other user interface element as it is shifted out of the display. The sound related to the user interface element may also be characteristic for the element it is related to. In addition, the element can be located by only listening to the sound related to the element.

Abstract: A software application system and method to aid in rapid graphical user interface (GUI) development in object-oriented development environments where sub-classing (buttons, list boxes, edit controls, etc.) provided by the compiler or a GUI toolkit are not appropriate. While the invention was motivated by the environment stated above, it can be used in any object-oriented GUI programming environment. This invention provides a method for adding functionality to native controls including, but not limited to: initializing the control with data or other settings; retrieving data from the control; formatting the data; validating the data entered; storing validated data in files or databases; handling multiple controls to create the illusion of a single control; and, establishing relationships between controls.

Abstract: A conventional peripheral device of a programmable controller has a problem that the frequency of data communications between the PC and the peripheral device and between the peripheral device and a display increases and the updating rate of results of monitoring processes lowers so much as the number of programs for execution of monitoring processes increases. In view of the above, according to the invention, there are provided display means on which a plurality of windows are displayed; input means for specifying an arbitrary one of the plurality of windows; and managing means for outputting, to a programmable controller that is to display a processing result of a monitoring process to the specified window, monitoring request data for execution of the monitoring process, and for receiving a processing result of the monitoring process that is based on the monitoring request data.

Abstract: Computer controlled processes rely upon graphical user interfaces to effect the man-machine interface. The page windows of the present invention are comprised of a base image screen that includes regions responsive to control and status stimuli, as well as static graphic representations. The base image screen is merged with a secondary image, which includes regions responsive to control and status stimuli, as well as static graphic representations. The process of merging the secondary image includes preventing the display of certain control and status regions on the base image, as dictated by the secondary image. Multiple secondary screens can be merged on the base image screen, thereby allowing multiple page windows to be created using only a base image and a plurality of secondary screens.

Abstract: A fade controller for providing programmable fade rates for an on-screen display (OSD) window within a video display. Simple digital circuitry is used to control the size and dimensions of the OSD window and the rates at which it opens vertically and horizontally for fade in or closes vertically and horizontally for fade out, or both.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a network of content devices that includes two or more graphical representations of two or more respective content devices that are coupled to a content device network. Graphical representations of two or more content streams between the graphical representations of content devices have graphical indicia, and two or more content display windows are provided to display content. Displayed content is associated with respective graphical indicia of the content streams so as to inform a user viewing the graphical representation of the content streams that the content streams carry the displayed content. In variations, the graphical user interface includes a master menu box that includes a content source selection menu for selecting a source content device, a content directory displaying content available from the source content device and a destination menu for selecting a destination content device.

Abstract: An interface of an application program is identified by parsing the source code of the application program to identify meta information, and the meta information and a link pointing to an original location of the meta information within the application program are stored in a repository. A user may then be allowed to query the repository to determine which source files and which interfaces comprise the application program. Responsive to the query, a new source file is constructed which contains the interfaces comprising the application program. The new source file and a link pointing to a location of the new source file are also stored in the repository. A meta language document is constructed which contains a description of the application program interfaces to enable a a connector building tool to build an interface to the application program.

Abstract: Mutatably transparent controls are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system includes an operating environment, and at least one computer program. The operating environment has a graphical user interface. Each computer program has at least one display displayable within the graphical user interface. The system is configured so that the opacity of the at least one display changes in response to a particular event. Desirably, each display comprises a control.

Abstract: A mouse driven splitter program and algorithm is disclosed herein. The invention is a user interface which solves the problem of interactively designing splitter window layouts by combining maximum flexibility and generality with user-friendliness. The invention allows a program user to create every possible combination of panes and nested splitter windows with no limitation on the nesting depth. The entire process is purely graphical, employing only the mouse as a tool. Similarly, the user can place content, such as a particular chart in any pane using the mouse only.

Abstract: Techniques for generating maps of graphical user interfaces of applications are provided. An application mapper programmatically executes an application to generate a map of the graphical user interface of the application. The map can include windows, graphical user interface objects, actions, shortcuts, and transitions. The map can be utilized by a script generator to generate scripts that include instructions to test the application.