Abstract: In a navigation device, multi-layered menu windows are sequentially displayed in a display unit and narrowed down by repeatedly selecting an item in each menu window to thereby consequently display a certain instruction window for instructing an execution of a function. This selection procedure is stored such that a selection record, which indicates an association with the certain instruction window, is assigned to each of the selected items in the displayed menu windows. When a certain item assigned the selection record is operated more than a predetermined time period, the currently displayed menu window including the certain item is switched to the certain instruction window without intermediate menu windows displayed. Thus, when intending to display the certain instruction window, which was previously displayed after the selection procedure, a user can significantly simplify the selection procedure and decrease workloads.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for presenting a contact manager associated with a communication session represented in a graphical user interface (GUI). The method includes grouping by context contacts associated with a user in the communication session, wherein the communication session is displayed as a set of connected graphical elements representing a structure of the communication session, presenting on the GUI a graphical representation of at least a part of the grouped contacts, receiving user input associated with one contact of the contacts and the communication session, and modifying the communication session based on information associated with the user input and the one contact. Grouping the contacts by context can include sorting the contacts as a cache, and grouping based on user preferences, user communications history, social networks, topic, project, and/or employer.

Abstract: An approach is described for supplementing a scrolling region of an item user interface (UI) presentation with scrolling-region information. For example, the scrolling region can be enhanced by presented information regarding a flattened list of containers. The approach may also involve varying a representation of a collection of items displayed in an item presentation region of the item UI presentation based on at least one emphasis-related attribute associated with the collection of items. The various features of the item UI presentation facilitate a user's navigation through a large collection of items.

Abstract: A computing system includes a touch display and a virtual keyboard visually presented by the touch display. The virtual keyboard includes one or more slider buttons, and each slider button includes a plurality of touch-selectable items. The computing system further includes a touch-detection module configured to recognize which of the plurality of touch-selectable items is being touched, and a visual-feedback module configured to visually indicate that a touch-selectable item is considered to be ready for selection responsive to that touch-selectable item being touched. The computing system also includes a selection module configured to input a touch-selectable item responsive to a touch lifting from that touch-selectable item while the visual-feedback module visually indicates that touch-selectable item is considered to be ready for selection.

Abstract: A user interface (UI) includes floating action buttons. Respective hot zones are established for associated respective UI elements. When a focus is targeting (e.g., located at) a given hot zone, one or more floating action buttons that are associated therewith are presented as part of the UI. Activation of a particular action button of the one or more floating action buttons causes an action corresponding to the particular action button to be implemented. In an example implementation, the actions available through the one or more floating action buttons may be context-sensitive such that the actions thereof are tailored to the type of item corresponding to the UI element (e.g., an icon, a graphical element, a text portion, a screen area, etc.).

Abstract: A method of annotating content with context metadata comprising: a) obtaining a first list of context metadata items for a content item; b) obtaining a second list of context metadata items from the first list, wherein the second list contains some, but not all, of the metadata items of the first list; and c) annotating the content item with the second list by creating an association between metadata items of the second list and the content item.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving user input requesting display of information associated with user interface elements displayed on a page; analyzing the page for determining the information associated with the user interface elements; and outputting the information associated with a plurality of the user interface elements for concurrent display on the page with each other and with the user interface elements. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.

Abstract: A method for operating a space menu, suitable for an electronic device having a screen is provided. In the present method, a plurality of item objects are sequentially displayed along a linear path on a menu plane to generate a space menu. Then, an operation of a user for the space menu is received and used for operating the space menu. The item objects on the menu plane are rotated about a rotation axis according to a position of the item object pointed by the operation so as to protrude the pointed item object from the other item objects, in which a direction of the rotation axis is not parallel to a normal direction of a display plane of the screen. Further, an item function is executed according to the item object selected by the operation.

Abstract: A mobile terminal providing a graphic user interface and method of providing a graphic user interface are disclosed. In one embodiment a mobile terminal may comprise a control unit, a touch screen display unit coupled to the control unit, and a memory storing instructions to be executed by the control unit. In one embodiment a method may comprise displaying and then moving one or more icons around the screen of the mobile terminal, detecting a designation of a point on the screen, and executing a predefined action based on a distance from a location of the designated point to a location of at least one of the icons. Another embodiment may detect an application related event, display an indicator icon, and execute a predefined action in response to the event detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selecting buttons displayed in a graphics bar on a display screen. The entry of a first navigation command triggers the selection of a first button adjacent to the one selected in the bar. This first button is graphically highlighted. Then, the entry of a second navigation command in order to select a second button adjacent to the one previously selected triggers the selection and highlighting of a third button located in another position on the bar serving as a starting point for subsequent navigation commands. In this way, the user can skip from one button to another button located in any other location in the bar.

Abstract: An inputting apparatus including: a display unit on which an image is displayed; a detecting portion configured to detect an approach value which represents an approaching or a touching degree of an input object with respect to each position in the display unit and which becomes larger where the approaching or touching degree is a certain degree than where the approaching or touching degree is a degree smaller than the certain degree; a button-display portion which displays at least one button; a receiving portion which receives an input of a predetermined command assigned to one of the at least one button where an approach value detected in the one button exceeds a first threshold value; and an enlarging and displaying portion which enlarges and displays only the one button on the display unit where the approach value exceeds a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a touch panel monitor configured to provide an operation unit and a display unit for imaged image on the same screen. The apparatus displays a plurality of buttons corresponding to a plurality of imaging methods, and displays with a focus a first button corresponding to a first imaging method that has entered an imaging ready state. When imaging by the first imaging method is completed, the apparatus displays an imaged image on the display unit, displays the first button in a form that shows that imaging is completed, cancels the focus of the first button, and transfers the focus to a second button corresponding to a second imaging method that next enters an imaging ready state.

Abstract: Picture adjustment apparatus and methods for a video display appliance, include: a memory for storing information pertaining to at least one apparatus adjustment on-screen display (OSD), the adjustment OSD information including configurable OSD accessibility information, and a control section that processes the stored OSD information. The control section is configured to output OSD data to control display of each OSD, the accessibility of each OSD distinguishable in accordance with the stored OSD accessibility information, wherein an accessible OSD is displayed differently than an inaccessible OSD.

Abstract: A user interface (UI) includes floating action buttons. Respective hot zones are established for associated respective UI elements. When a focus is targeting (e.g., located at) a given hot zone, one or more floating action buttons that are associated therewith are presented as part of the UI. Activation of a particular action button of the one or more floating action buttons causes an action corresponding to the particular action button to be implemented. In an example implementation, the actions available through the one or more floating action buttons may be context-sensitive such that the actions thereof are tailored to the type of item corresponding to the UI element (e.g., an icon, a graphical element, a text portion, a screen area, etc.).

Abstract: Content abstractions are emerged in to an ingress terminus of a multidimensional path and depth transitioned through the multidimensional path to an egress terminus. The content abstractions are eliminated at the egress terminus.

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: An electronic “To-Do” bar is provided in which displayed upcoming tasks, meetings, appointments and the like. The electronic To-Do bar is displayed in a lightweight menu of tasks, meetings and appointments and is displayed persistently in addition to other software functionality or user interfaces displayed on a user's computer display screen according to other software applications or other software functionality in use. A user is presented with an always-visible list of upcoming tasks, meetings and appointments without the need to launch a separate tasks application or calendar application to view upcoming tasks, meetings or appointments.

Abstract: The interface system includes: an output section for visually presenting a manipulation menu for a device; a measurement section for measuring a masticatory electromyogram of a user; a menu presentation section for causing menu items of the manipulation menu to be presented in order via the output section; an amplitude calculation section for determining a maximum amplitude of a potential waveform of the masticatory electromyogram; a latency calculation section for determining a latency based on a point of highlighting each menu item as a starting point, the latency being an amount of time in which the potential waveform arrives at the maximum amplitude; and a determination section for determining whether the maximum amplitude is greater than a previously determined threshold value and the latency is approximately 200 ms or not. In accordance with the determination result of the determination section, the menu presentation section executes a process corresponding to the highlighted menu item.

Abstract: A reduced complexity user interface is described. In an embodiment, a user interface module causes an animation of a pile of objects on a user interface display. The pile of objects to expand from a contracted form when a pointer approaches a boundary of the pile on the user interface display. The user interface module to determine two closest objects in the pile of objects that correspond with the pointer on the user interface display and to move the two closest objects to the pointer to visually indicate an insertion point into the pile. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system of fixing the display position of selected items on the display screen of a hand-held computing device is disclosed. The method includes displaying at least a portion of a list having at least one non-fixed item on said display screen; selecting a subset of items from said list to be positionally fixed; storing a displayed position of each item in said subset; associating each item in said subset with a pinned icon; and displaying each positionally fixed item and its associated pinned icon at its stored display position, wherein each pinned icon is positioned proximate to said item to which it is associated.

Abstract: Ambient noise sampled by a mobile device from a local environment is used to automatically trigger actions associated with content currently playing on the mobile device. In some implementations, subtitles or closed captions associated with the currently playing content are automatically invoked and displayed on a user interface based on a level of ambient noise. In some implementations, audio associated with the currently playing content is adjusted or muted. Actions can be automatically triggered based on a comparison of the sampled ambient noise, or an audio fingerprint of the sampled ambient noise, with reference data, such as a reference volume level or a reference audio fingerprint. In some implementations, a reference volume level can be learned on the mobile device based on ambient noise samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for displaying a contents list. The method includes: displaying a loading image, which is preset for displaying, on a loading region to display a thumbnail image corresponding to contents of the loading image, wherein the loading image corresponds to the thumbnail images; animating the loading image displayed in the loading region; and displaying the thumbnail image in the loading region, by substituting the thumbnail image for the loading image.

Abstract: A system and method displays a gradient of color extending outward from the border of a user interface control such as a text box, list box, check box, radio button, scroll bar or message box. The display may be made in response to an event, such as a mouse over or error. A user interface control has such a gradient of color.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are presented for a device to provide information about operation of a button during operation of the button. The button performs a first action if the button has been operated a first way, and performs a second alternative action if the button has instead been operated a second way. The user is provided with information, during the operation of the button, indicative of the second way.

Abstract: A host device includes: a scroll display processing section which moves and serially displays, in a predetermined area of a setting screen, expanded function icons indicating respective plural expanded functions which are available when a printing process is executed; a switching icon determination section which specifies the reference number of the expanded function icon which has reached a display type switching means which is a predetermined position or a position specified by an input by the user; and a display type switching section which switches the display type of the expanded function icon corresponding to the reference number specified by the switching icon determination section. With this, it is possible to provide an information processing device which moves and serially displays plural icons, and to display an eye-friendly setting screen.

Abstract: The described implementations relate to dynamically painting user-controls. One method dynamically determines a highlight color of a user-control under a cursor on a graphical user-interface. The method also paints at least a portion of the user-control with the highlight color.

Abstract: A display controlling apparatus which displays icons representative of data in layers on a screen, the display controlling apparatus including: an operating section which, based on operations performed by a user, obtains at least instructions for how to display the icons on the screen; a storing section for storing at least data constituting the icons in the layers; a controlling section for generating picture data for displaying the icons in the layers on icon array axes; and a display outputting section for outputting the picture data generated by the controlling section onto a display device; wherein, when the operating section obtains an instruction from the user, the controlling section acting on the instruction generates the picture data in such a manner as to move each of the icon array axes into a different direction together with the icons displayed in an array on each of the axes.

Abstract: A user interface system and process for graphically displaying the results of a standard search, such as a database search, to a user on a display device via an interactive search results window in which the user views and filters search results items. These results can be presented in either a cluster or histogram format, or both. This allows the user to visualize the results graphically, rather than just displaying a list of the items found. In addition the presentation of the search results can be graphically manipulated to easily filter the results as desired by the user.

Abstract: The invention describes use of tags in an operator interface panels. The tags are descriptive names of variables used in the panel. The use of tags allows a user to use meaningful names to the variables used with the objects on the panel.

Abstract: A method for recording a plurality of graphic objects is disclosed. Each graphic object includes at least one common parameter and at least one object data. The method includes recording the at least one common parameter corresponding to the plurality of graphic objects in a common parameter section; and respectively recording the at least one object data of the plurality of graphic objects in corresponding object sections; wherein the at least one common parameter and the at least one object data are utilized to describe characteristics of the graphic objects.

Abstract: A system and method for redistributing interest in a hierarchical data structure representation is provided. A data representation of a hierarchical data structure includes depth levels having one or more blocks of sibling nodes associated with node interest characteristics. Two or more of the sibling nodes are combined as aggregates into elided subsets. One of the elided subsets is selected and expanded to reveal the aggregated sibling nodes. A breadth of the depth level in which the block is located is determined. A further determination that the breadth exceeds a constrained breadth extent for the data representation is made. The breadth is decreased by ordering the sibling nodes in the depth level by their node interest characteristic and by combining at least a portion of the sibling nodes into the elided subset based on the respective node interest characteristics such that the breadth does not exceed the constrained breadth extent.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying menus of selectable options to a user are provided. The menus may include options that are contextually related to a current mode of the device to provide relevant options to a user. The electronic device modes may include, for example, a media mode, a radio mode, a workout mode, a calendar or event mode, a clock mode, a stopwatch mode, or any other suitable mode. To further enhance a user's experience, the displayed menus may not cover the entirety of the screen such that a portion of the content associated with a current mode or application may be visible, thus providing context to the displayed options.

Abstract: A method, user interface module, computer program product, computer system and system that enable a graphical user interface to be used by persons with visual disabilities. The graphical user interface includes a toolbar, which provides features that enable a visually disabled user to navigate and activate the functions provided by buttons or other controls on the communication toolbar. As a user navigates around the user interface, auditory messages are read describing functionality of different features of the graphical user interface. The text can be audibly read by, for example, a screen reader module. By using a hotkey or menu navigation, a user can issue commands that would normally be issued by clicking on the toolbar. Furthermore, the user can type text into text input boxes, select items from combo boxes, enable broadcast messages to be read, and choose to listen to status messages.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that provides for displaying on the screen of a handheld electronic device, an extended menu or a short menu, which is a subset of the corresponding extended menu. The system and method include an application displayed on a screen. If the application is currently running, and no menu is displayed, the user may initiate an ambiguous request. Various short menus, including those with solely one menu item, are provided with their respective menu items being dependent and adjustable based upon the position of a cursor on the display page, the currently opened application, and/or the previous selections. Further, a selection from the short menu is capable of displaying the extended menu corresponding thereto.

Abstract: User interface systems and methods are disclosed. The user interfaces include at least one focus pointer that allow a user to quickly access the elements contained in a plurality of folders. A fixed focus pointer selects one of a plurality of elements of a main folder in response to interaction of a user. A moveable focus pointer scrolls through a plurality of elements of the first subfolder to select a second subfolder in response to interaction of a user. The user interface may include additional folders and focus pointers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for use in a computing environment for representing files stored in stacks. The method includes providing a set of stack icons, each icon in the set having a stack height representing a range of stack sizes. The method additionally includes determining a stack size for a selected stack and selecting and displaying an appropriate stack icon from the set of stack icons based on the determined stack size. The selected stack may be stored within one of multiple libraries. Accordingly a distinct set of icons relevant to each library may be stored for each library. The icons may visibly convey information pertaining to the relevant library. Accordingly, the method may include representing a selected stack by determining an appropriate library and an appropriate stack height and displaying a corresponding icon. The system may additionally include an empty stack icon, a generic stack icon, property based icons, and custom thumbnail icons.

Abstract: Optical storage media often contain data structures for a menu suitable for selection of a title, a chapter, a parameter or others. Such menus usually comprise a number of buttons to be displayed, with each button having a state. Possible states of buttons are “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the representation of a menu button may vary, depending on its state. An image or an image sequence, e.g. cartoon, may be associated to a buttons state, providing user animation. Further, a sound or sound sequence, e.g. melody or click, may be associated to a buttons state, and may be played back when the button enters this state. A data structure is disclosed which allows storage of such menu data e.g. on a Blu-ray disc.

Abstract: Additional information indicating photographic conditions for a received image signal is compared with additional information indicating photographic conditions for an access target image signal. If the both conditions satisfy a predetermined relationship, an access to the access target image signal is permitted.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) having a spotlight effect to focus a user's attention upon a selectable item. The EPG includes a user interface screen for providing a plurality of television programs by time and channel in a grid format. Each television program becomes selectable from the EPG based upon user interaction. The spotlight effect is depicted in association with each television program when it becomes selectable as a result of user interaction. The spotlight effect is defined by non-uniform color which at least partially surrounds and extends from the selectable television program.

Abstract: Any icon on a launcher screen 22 is changed from a basic-size (first-size) icon Is to a second-size icon Im one size larger than the basic-size icon Is and further a third-size icon IL further one size larger than the second-size icon Im in accordance with operation using an operation unit. The icons Is, Im and IL having different sizes are displayed with a difference in luminance from one to another. The basic-size icon Is is displayed with the darkest luminance, and the third-size icon IL is displayed with the brightest luminance. The third-size icon IL indicates the icon is an active icon. For example, when the icon is selected by operation using an “Enter” key or the like on the keyboard unit 112, execution of a function allocated to the icon is started.

Abstract: This is a method and system for automated calendar event creation from unstructured text, with assisted administration and viewing.

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: In a method and a device for the implementation of a medical examination via a user interface of at least one imaging device determination and input of a group of measurement parameters take place via an input device of the user interface. Spatially resolved image information are generated with the at least one imaging device depending on the group of measurement parameters. The image information is stored on a storage medium. The image information is presented as data symbols on a screen of the user interface. Multiple data symbols are presented in a predetermined arrangement on the screen for a medical assessment. An interest value is generated for each of the multiple data symbols with enlarged or reduced presentation of data symbols with higher interest value occurring relative to adjacent data symbols with lower interest value, such that the arrangement of the data symbols with lower interest value in n columns and m rows and at their respective size is maintained.

Abstract: Methods and systems for graphically emphasizing a selected path through a diagram, where the diagram includes a number of nodes and a number of lines, the methods and systems including: applying a node highlight effect to a node of the number of nodes in the selected path, where applying the node highlight effect includes applying a node shadow to the node, applying a line highlight effect to a line of the number of lines in the selected path, where applying the line highlight effect includes applying a line shadow to the line, applying a node fade effect to a node of the number of nodes not in the selected path, and applying a line fade effect to a line of the number of lines not in the selected path.

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.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, facilitating display of terms includes facilitating display of a graphical user interface. One or more first input terms entered into a user entry window of the graphical user interface are received. One or more first output terms related to the first input terms are determined. Display of a first graphical cloud comprising the first output terms is facilitated. The first input terms are modified to yield one or more second input terms. One or more second output terms related to the second input terms are determined. Display of a second graphical cloud comprising the second output terms is facilitated.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for user interfacing. The user interfacing method of a portable terminal with a pointing device includes checking whether or not pointing through the pointing device has occurred, and removing a current image while distorting the current image around a pointing position if pointing has occurred. The user interfacing apparatus of a portable terminal comprises a pointing device for enabling pointing by a user, a display unit for displaying an image for graphic user interfacing, and a control unit for controlling the display unit in such a manner that a current image is removed by distorting the current image around a pointing position and a resultant image according to the pointing is displayed if the pointing has occurred through the pointing device.

Abstract: An information processing system including a support section that displays a document in a given region and supports creation of the document, an acceptance section that accepts a search request in relation to a search target when the search target is selected from the document in the given region, and a search section that searches for information related to the search target based on the search request in relation to the search target.

Abstract: A display method for displaying a plurality of icons in list form on a display device by a list-form displaying section and for enlarging and reducing an icon. When a first icon is selected while second icon previously selected is being enlarged, the second icon is enlarged to a predetermined size, and then after the enlargement, the enlarged second icon is reduced so as to have a size substantially equal to the size of each of icons which are not selected.

Abstract: A television system presents the user with a list of recently viewed objects as a History list that meets one of a set of History list criteria. The History list is maintained as an ordered stack list with a limited number of entries, the order being an order in which the most recently met rule appears at the top of the list. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.