Abstract: A method for social interacting, including using a portable messaging device for designating, from time to time, a plurality of friends, selecting a mood, sending one or more representations of the selected mood to each of the plurality of designated friends, further selecting an updated mood, and further sending one or more representations of the updated mood to each of the plurality of designated friends, to supersede the previously sent one or more representations of the mood. A user interface is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A rotation-preventing member has an annular main body, first keys, and second keys. The first keys face one another across a main body axis, and extend to one side along an axial direction of the main body. The first keys have first surfaces that include the axial direction and a radial direction of the main body. The second keys face one another across an imaginary surface being parallel to the first surfaces and including the axis, and the second keys extend to the same side as the first keys extend to or the side opposite to the first keys along the axial direction. The second keys also have third surfaces orthogonal to the first surfaces and including the axial direction. Of the first keys and second keys, at least the first keys are provided with recesses that open onto end surfaces on the side toward which the keys extend.

Abstract: A data processing unit includes: a data storage section; a data acquisition section that acquires the dates of multiple date items including date attributes; a date representing section that represents the dates of data in such a manner that the lapse of months from January to December is expressed circumferentially and the lapse of two or more years is expressed radially; a search-range representing section superposed on the date representing section and representing a sectored search range concentric with the date representing section so that the user can designate a search range, wherein the central angle of the sectored search range represents the range of date of search data and the radial thickness of the sectored search range represents the range of year of the search data; and a search section that searches for data having the date in the range designated in the search-range representing section from the date stored in the data storage section.

Abstract: An information display apparatus comprises a plurality of sensing devices, a signal processing block, an information display block, a menu storage block, a rotary control like a rotary encoder and a menu display block. The information display apparatus presents selectable menu items relating to images displayed on-screen together with information on hierarchical level of the menu items so that a user can easily recognize the hierarchical level of the currently presented menu items. The rotary control permits the user to select a desired one of the presented menu items by simple operation.

Abstract: System and method of adjusting selection areas of menu options in a radial menu utilize the frequency of selection of each of the menu options to adjust the size of various selection areas over time. The sizes of menu options or selection areas with relatively high frequency of use may increase, while the sizes of the selection areas of the remaining menu options may decrease. In addition, the size of the menu options may be further adjusted to return to the original arrangement, e.g., in which the size of each of the selection areas is equal or occupies some predetermined area. The user may hold an electronic pen over the radial menu or select an icon from the radial menu to resize the selection areas to return to the original arrangement.

Abstract: A method comprising of displaying a GUI object is disclosed. The method displays a first graphical user interface (GUI) object with multiple selectable GUI items. The method detects a movement of a cursor in a direction of a particular selectable GUI item. The method determines an expected location for the stopping of the cursor. The method displays, at the expected location, a second GUI object corresponding to the particular GUI item.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of display of a user interface, that comprises the following steps: a step of display in foreground of a first user interface generated from stored display elements, comprising a first set of display elements providing access to first services, a reception step of a second set of display elements giving access to second services, and a display step of a second user interface in foreground, replacing the first user interface. The invention also relates to a method of transmission of a set of display elements giving access to services, that comprises the following steps: a transmission step of a first set of display elements, giving access to services, and a transmission step of a second set of display elements, giving access to services, and destined to be stored.

Abstract: A computer readable medium storing a computer program for execution by at least one processor is disclosed. The computer program is for determining that a first identified location is too close to an edge of a window of a graphical user interface to display a radial display area. The computer program is also for identifying a second location far enough from the edge to fully display the radial display area within the window. The computer program is also for displaying the radial display area at the second location.

Abstract: A letter input apparatus includes an input unit having at least one direction key, a display unit to display a screen having a display area to display at least one letter capable of being input by the input unit and at least one input key to input letters, and a control unit to cause the letter displayed on the display area to be input or displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for chart-based order entry are described. According to one example method a chart is used to display historical market data corresponding to a tradeable object. An order entry interface is displayed in relation to the chart. The order entry interface includes a plurality of price objects for selecting price levels to be used for trade orders to buy or sell the tradeable object. According to one example method, the price levels corresponding to the price objects depend on a location of the interface in relation to the chart, and as the interface is moved in relation to the chart, the price levels are automatically updated. Upon selection of the price level on the interface, a trade order to buy or sell is submitted to a matching engine at an electronic exchange.

Abstract: An information processing device for facilitating a user's recognition of relevant information when relevant information concerning a predetermined menu item of a digital household electronic appliance, for example, is presented to the user.

Abstract: A consistent method of navigating across large data sets, particularly search results from search engines and play lists from media player devices is disclosed. Persistent navigation position markers provide the user with indication of current position in the data set. By using a click wheel which is provided on many mobile communication platforms, personal digital assistants and the like, simple operation is provided. Alternatively, a touch pad, touch screen and stylus, or thumb mouse may be used.

Abstract: A graphic system has a first display processor and a second display processor. The first display processor displays a first scroll bar on a screen. In the first scroll bar, a first scroll knob is provided and a scale, which is associated with information displayed on the screen, is provided. The graphic system further has a scroll controller that scrolls the information in accordance with the movement of the first scroll knob. When a given operation is carried out during the display of the first scroll bar, the second display processor displays a partial range of the first scroll bar as a second scroll bar. In the partial range, a first scroll knob is included. Then, the second display processor defines the scale of the second scroll bar as the scale of the partial range. The scroll controller scrolls the information in accordance with an operation performed on the second scroll bar.

Abstract: Facilitating determination of an amount to bid for a resource is disclosed. In some embodiments, market condition data indicating for at least a currently indicated bid amount a corresponding likely wait to obtain the resource under current conditions in an auction-based market used to allocate the resource is received. A representation of at least the likely wait corresponding to the currently indicated bid amount is communicated to a user.

Abstract: Provided is multi-stroke marking menu techniques that increase menu breath over an eight-item limit of some orientation-based marking menus. Zone and polygon menus can be provided wherein the breadth can be increased by a factor of about two or more while providing quick selection and maintaining selection accuracy. Various geometric attributes can be analyzed to determine a selection stroke. These attributes can include orientation, position, and/or length of each stroke. Hybrid techniques are also disclosed that further increase menu breadth and performance.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system by which a visualization of a predetermined subject can be generated with the assets and/or attributes of the subject identified and, if assessed, the results of the assessment can be indicated. The visualization includes a center point with a core which represents the subject and a series of annular rings depending outwardly therefrom, each ring represents a set of assets or attributes and each ring has a segment representing each of the assets or attributes in the set. The visualization allows effective analysis and representation of the predetermined subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for searching and retrieving records from a database and in particular to capturing a user's preferences to facilitate retrieval of records from the database in accordance with those preferences. The invention is suitable for use in applications in which the records retrieved from the database correspond to books, films, music or the like and it will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that exemplary, but non-limiting, application.

Abstract: Information is visually presented to a computer user by receiving, in a computer system, a request to present a first visual item representing a first information portion selected from an information collection available in the computer system. It is determined, in response to the request: (i) which of several predefined categories the first information portion is associated with, and (ii) which of several predefined generality levels the first information portion has. A presentation that includes an area divided into segments extending between a center and a periphery of the area is generated on a display device. The segments correspond to the respective predefined categories and the area is concentrically divided into levels corresponding to the respective predefined generality levels. The first visual item is placed in one of the segments and at one of the levels according to its determined category and generality level. Item distribution effectively uses available space.

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: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for making a color adjustment to a digital image. The system displays a digital image in a user interface. Upon receiving an adjustment to a gain control, the system adjusts a magnitude of a color adjustment made to a digital image when a user moves an adjustment indicator within a two-dimensional region that displays a spectrum of possible adjustments for the color of the digital image. Upon receiving a color adjustment from the adjustment indicator, the system adjusts the color of the digital image based on the color adjustment.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first tray and a second tray in a display of the portable communications device. The first tray is configured to display one of more characters that were selected by a user using a click wheel. The second tray includes a first plurality of icons that correspond to a set of characters and one or more recommended words. The first tray includes a first region in a graphical user interface and the second tray includes a second region in the graphical user interface. Scrolling through the first plurality of icons and the one or more recommended words occurs in accordance with one or more navigation commands received from a click wheel.

Abstract: A method for navigating between elements on a page of content using an input in a handheld device. The method includes receiving an input corresponding to a navigation direction, determining an element that is radially closest to a current focus element in the navigation direction, and setting the element as the next current focus element. The input may be received from a four-way directional pad associated with the handheld device.

Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a video database client application configured to execute on a wireless communication device or a device with a small display screen. The video database client application includes a user interface including user interface components designed to access video information and view videos using the wireless communication device. The video database client application includes a video player module to integrate and control a native video player within the user interface. The video database client application further includes a video database interface module adapted to retrieve videos and video information from the video database. The video database interface module functions to pre-fetch information from the video database based on anticipated user information needs.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for displaying actions of an input device on a display is provided. The interface includes a radial menu having an origin disposed at a center thereof and at least a first wedge defining an area extending outwardly from the origin. The first wedge is associated with a variable that is capable of being set to a value between a predetermined minimum value and a predetermined maximum value. A cursor for indicating a current position of the input device on the display is provided in the interface. The cursor is movable within the first wedge to select a current value of the variable based upon the angular position of the cursor with respect to said origin. A radial menu, computer system, and method are also provided.

Abstract: A notepad computer with a page display region displaying a page of a document on which a user can write using a pen or stylus type writing tool is provided. Associated with the page is an interface that can be used with the pen. The interface includes a core task tool region adjacent to the page where tool icons are partially visible until the pen is brought near one of the icons. The tool icon becomes fully visible when the pen is within the region of the icon. The tool when activated can pop-up a radial pop-up menu located at an edge of the document where all the menu choices are located in a semi-circle away from the edge so that the users hand while holding the pen and making a selection does not block the choices.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a context menu pop-up interface. In one embodiment, the context menu interface may be activated in relation to a second interface, and may include a plurality of selection areas organized around a central selection area. In a preferred embodiment, the sizes of each of the plurality of selection areas increase as a distance to each selection area increases from the central selection area, and the sizes are selected such that the plurality of selection areas can be selected in approximately the same time.

Abstract: A display control apparatus controls display of a graphical user interface including a plurality of choices which are presented to a user and from which the user selects a choice. The display control apparatus includes a ring display generating unit configured to generate a ring display serving as the GUI, the ring display being formed by annually arranging a plurality of marks corresponding to the choices in a predetermined order; a marker adding unit configured to add a marker indicating at least one of the position of the first mark and the position of the last mark, among the plurality of marks arranged in the predetermined order, to the ring display; and a display controlling unit configured to display the ring display to which the marker is added.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus through which a user inputs characters using a rotatable search wheel. The image forming apparatus includes a display unit to display a character set in order to input characters, a search wheel, which is able to rotate, to search for characters to be input from the displayed character set while being rotated, an input button to select the characters searched by the search wheel and to input the selected characters, and a control unit to display on the display unit characters selected from the displayed character set according to a rotation direction of the search wheel. Therefore, it is possible to input characters more conveniently and rapidly.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a context menu pop-up interface. In one embodiment, the context menu interface may be activated in relation to a second interface, and may include a plurality of selection areas organized around a central selection area. In a preferred embodiment, the sizes of each of the plurality of selection areas increase as a distance to each selection area increases from the central selection area, and the sizes are selected such that the plurality of selection areas can be selected in approximately the same time.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for circular tool menu configuration and use with a clinical application. Certain embodiments provide a user interface providing software tools and customization for a picture archiving and communication system. The user interface includes a pie-shaped menu including a plurality of tool segments arranged as pieces of the pie-shaped menu. The user interface also includes a pointer movable by a user to select one of the plurality of tool segments in the pie-shaped menu. The user interface further includes an image review area displayed underneath the pie-shaped menu. In certain embodiments, the user interface further includes a tool bar including one or more tools and functions associated with a tool segment in the pie-shaped menu, for example.

Abstract: An information retrieval device, including a jog-dial, a screen, a first level item processing unit to display at least a part of first level information items in a virtual ring segment on the screen, wherein first level information items are rotated and thereby the displayed first level information items are changed by rotating the jog-dial, and a first level capturing unit to select a first level information item that is displayed at a predetermined position by pressing the jog-dial. The information retrieval device also includes at least one respective further level information item processing unit to display at least a part of respective further level information items corresponding to an information item selected in the next lower level information items in a virtual ring segment around the virtual ring segment defined by the next lower level information items on the screen.

Abstract: A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides a set of mini navigation wheels for experienced users that include all of the function of the larger wheels in pie shaped wedges and that acts as a cursor.

Abstract: A state menu selection system that provides a function control set relating to an active application, maps at least one function from the function control set to at least one input device, and activates a function from the control set upon activation of the corresponding input device.

Abstract: User interface navigation is described. In an embodiment, an indicator displayed on a user interface rotates in place to indicate selectable directions of travel. When an input is received to stop the indicator from rotating, the indicator moves in a direction of travel. When another input is received, the indicator stops moving in the direction of travel, and again rotates in place to indicate other selectable directions of travel. An input can also be received to initiate selecting a user-selectable control on the user interface when the indicator is positioned over the user-selectable control, over a portion of the user-selectable control, or proximate the user-selectable control.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for managing federated search results in a heterogeneous environment. A user enters a search term and the search term is submitted to multiple selected search engines. Search results are gathered from each selected search engine. A search ring is generated including a ring section to represent each of the selected search engines for enabling the user to view search results from one or more of the selected search engines.

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

Abstract: A segment ring menu is provided that is used to easily access menu items. The segment ring menu includes a number of menus that are located equidistant from an initial mouse position from where the segment ring menu is evoked. Hovering over any of the sections of the segment ring menu displays the menu items hosted in that section. The segment ring menu layout is directed at making it easy for the user to reach any of the menu items with a small amount of mouse movement.

Abstract: A method for consolidating associated buttons on a screen into easily accessible groups includes: a control button and at least one other button that appears when the control button is selected, where the at least one other button is contiguous with the control button. A user can quickly and conveniently select buttons. Furthermore, a significant amount of on-screen real estate is saved because the buttons used are small and square rather than long and rectangular. Further, the configuration of nested menus are such that it takes up little space on the screen. In addition, the menu is ergonomic because the buttons are contiguous, and as such selections can be made without the mouse pointer needing to move very far across the screen.

Abstract: The navigational interface allows a user to control computer operations and input text into applications running on the computing system with a single input device. The navigational interface operates by receiving selection signals from the input device. The navigational interface includes an input device, a navigational interface interpretation module having a sensor pattern, and a control display providing feedback of the navigational interface interpretation module operations. The sensor pattern is radially divided into a central sensory portion, a petals sensory portion divided into sensory petals, and a circumferential sensory portion. Each sensory portion references an information element. The information elements are associated with tasks to be performed in the computing system. The tasks might be computer control operations, application selection, application operation, or inputting and editing of textual characters into various applications running on the computing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to remember and attempt to persist relative differences between automatically adjusted current weight values for non-directly adjusted graphic user interface elements, notwithstanding previous automatic adjustment of these current weighting values to a point of equality. A plurality of user-alterable graphic user interface elements are provided (101), with each element corresponding to at least one alterable selection criteria. The plurality of user-alterable graphic user interface elements illustrate current weighting values, wherein the aggregate sum of the current weighting values comprises a particular value. A user then alters (102) a graphic user interface element, causing a change in the corresponding weighting value.

Abstract: Multi-sorting of displayed columns representative of a tabular display is carried out by displaying a table of a plurality of columns, selectively displaying a first radial menu having a plurality of sectors, each sector representative of one of the plurality of columns, enabling a user to select one of the sectors, and responsive to a user selection of a sector for displaying a second radial menu of the plurality of sectors wherein the selected one sector is disabled, e.g. eliminated. This is continued through a sequence of subsequent radial menus until the user has selected the intended set of sequential columns for the multiple sorting.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing customizable, immediate and radiating menus for accessing applications and actions. Upon initiation of a predetermined user action, such as a right-click operation, a primary menu is displayed and a second radial menu is displayed proximate the primary menu with the cursor position at a predetermined location for minimizing cursor manipulation for selecting a menu item from the second radial menu.

Abstract: There is provided a novel menu selection method in a mobile phone. Also provided is a cursor displaying method with which a user can intuitively recognize a moving direction and moving speed. In addition, a novel scrollbar with which the user can recognize, in a case of displaying menus beyond a display screen, a range currently displayed on a display screen among all the menus and a current cursor position within the menus displayed on the current display screen.

Abstract: There is disclosed an input device including a display for displaying a plurality of icons, and a selector for selecting a displayed icon. At least a portion of the display is an electronic display. The device is adapted such that the selector moves relative to the display between a plurality of positions. At least one position corresponds to a displayed icon. The device further includes a function selection means. A function associated with an icon corresponding to a current position of the selector is selected when the function selection means is enabled.

Abstract: An icon display system is provided in which an icon train selectable on an icon menu screen is managed by a display icon management table and non-display icon management table to visualize a part of the entire icon train. This is done by disposing the visualized icon train in an orbit while holding the other part of the icon train as invisible icons on the screen and displaying the invisible icons by moving the icon train in the orbit. Some icons are made to visually disappear at a discontinuity of the orbit by moving the icon train in the orbit and the new icons can be made to appear at the discontinuity to the screen. With this system, patterns of individual icons can be prevented from being indiscernible from each other no matter how many icons are set selectable on the display screen.

Abstract: There is provided a device having a function of browsing contents obtained through a network. The device includes a display unit, an operation unit, a storing unit configured to store a thumbnail corresponding to a part of a captured image of contents as a bookmark, and a thumbnail rearrangement control unit configured to form a screen displaying stored thumbnails on the display unit while arranging the thumbnails in a ring shape, to accept user designation of a target thumbnail to be moved through the operation unit, to rotate the thumbnails arranged in the ring shape on the screen in response to a user operation through the operation unit while keeping a potion of the target thumbnail at a predetermined position in the screen, and to accept user designation of a target position to which the target thumbnail is to be moved through the operation unit.

Abstract: A method of composing information by electronically advancing a sequence of information elements at controlled speed in an even step-wise fashion into a fixed transfer location while visibly displaying each of them there during a dwell time to permit the operator to decide whether to select it for manually directed copying into an output sequence. The speed of advance of the sequence of information elements and hence the dwell time for display of each information element is manually adjusted from time to time.

Abstract: An image which has been subjected to image processing wherein contrast amplification and density can be specified independently is displayed on a display screen. An initial density level is specified. The contrast of pixels in the displayed image having a density substantially equal to the specified initial density is changed upon movement of an indicium in a first direction and the density of pixels in the displayed image having a density substantially equal to the specified initial density is changed upon movement of the indicium in a second direction.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for interfacing a user with a touch-screen. In overview, some embodiments provide for an array of conventional numerical keys to be graphically represented as a primary menu on a touch-screen of a cellular phone or PDA. The graphically represented keys arranged as sectors or annular sectors in a contiguous array around a central origin. To provide text-based input (for example in the process of authoring a text-message or email), a user touch-selects one of the keys, and is provided with a secondary menu for allowing selection of a particular alphanumeric character associated with the selected numerical key. This association is optionally based on a protocol such as ETSI ETS 300 640 or ITU-T Recommendation E.161. In some embodiments the secondary menu, or a similar tertiary menu, is used to provide additional predictive text functionality.

Abstract: A system associated with a text entry application, such as email or instant messaging, comprises an optional onscreen representation of a circular keyboard, a list of potential linguistic object matches, and a message area where the selected words are entered. The circular keyboard is manipulated via a hardware joystick or game-pad with analog joystick or omni-directional rocker switch built therein. The user points the joystick in the general direction of the desired letter, and then continues pointing roughly to each letter in the desired word. Once all letters have been roughly selected, buttons are used to select a specific word from the list of potential matches and send the selected word to the message area.