Abstract: Methods and systems that improve the way media is played, sorted, modified, stored and cataloged are disclosed. One aspect relates to a browse window that allows a user to navigate through and select images that are related to media items. Another aspect relates to a graphical user interface of a media management program that utilizes multiple browse windows. Another aspect relates to simultaneously displayed media browse windows whose operations are integrated together so that the content shown therein is automatically synched when selections are made. Another aspect relates to resetting browsed content to the currently playing media.

Abstract: An image signal composed of sequential frames is input to a 3-dimensional image creating apparatus, frame by frame. A controller (102) designates the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. An image converter (101) creates image data in the format designated by the presence/absence of reduction and the presence/absence of joining. A 3D information creator (103) creates 3D information necessary for displaying the image as a 3-dimensional image by formatting the presence/absence of reduction, the presence/absence of joining and 2D select. A multiplexer (104) converts image data and 3D information in a predetermined format and outputs them to the outside. In this way, it is possible to make the image data for 3-dimensional display versatile and select an arbitrary viewpoint image efficiently.

Abstract: An animation of a plurality of regions is provided to recap, in under a minute, a respective price action of each of a plurality of stocks over a course of a day. Each of the regions has a respective color that changes during the animation to recap, in under the minute, respective price changes of its respective one of the stocks over the course of the day.

Abstract: A system for intuitively associating behaviors with objects. The script or code defining those behaviors may then be automatically generated. The generated script or code is downloadable to a client system. The intuitiveness may involve gestures, such as dragging and dropping, between a source object and itself or between a source object and a destination object, that preferably assigns a behavioral association with objects without the requirement of knowing any specific programming or scripting language.

Abstract: A file management apparatus displays place images each of which is a unit for managing files on a display unit in a matrix manner. Files and thumbnail images are stored in association with one of the place images. When a place image is selected, thumbnail images associated with the selected place image are displayed on the display unit. When an instruction for shifting upward, downward, to the left, or to the right while thumbnail images are displayed, other thumbnail images associated with a place image arranged in a direction indicated by the instruction from a place image associated with the currently-displayed thumbnail images are displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for generating three-dimensional objects to represent files in a three-dimensional environment. A primary classifier classifies stored files into groups based on a first set of properties and generates three-dimensional mesh objects to represent each file. The mesh objects are the same within each group and distinguish the files from group to group. A secondary classifier further classifies each group of files into sub-groups based on a second set of properties and deforms the mesh objects in each sub-group in a particular manner to distinguish files from sub-group to sub-group. Additional classifiers modify the deformed mesh objects to further distinguish files within each sub-group (e.g., by varying the shape, texture, animation, etc.). Each three-dimensional object can then be embedded into a three-dimensional graphical user interface as a selection tool that provides visual cues regarding the contents of a particular file.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable device operating method including: displaying a three-dimensional function menu on a display screen of a portable device, wherein a plurality of items of the three-dimensional function menu are positioned on different directions in a three-dimensional coordinate; detecting a shaking direction of the portable device; and selecting one of the plurality of the items of the three-dimensional function menu according to the shaking direction.

Abstract: A favorites GUI for a TV includes a carousel-type display of icons representing user-defined favorites that is overlaid on the current background video of the TV, with the center-most icon being the “current” icon and being enlarged relative to the other icons. Live video appears in icons representing TV channels. Other icons can represent, e.g., favorite photo/music files, favorite games from a game console, favorite content from an ambient player, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed. The method comprises: associating a 3D object having first, second and third faces, with a theme; populating the first face with a first icon that represents the theme; populating the second face with a second icon, the second icon representing a first attribute of the theme; populating the third face with a third icon, the third icon representing a second attribute of the theme; generating a first perspective view of a three dimensional object, the first perspective view having the first and second faces but not the third face; displaying the first perspective view on a portion of a display; receiving a command; generating a second perspective view of the three dimensional object, the second perspective view having the third face; removing the first perspective view from the display; and displaying the second perspective view on the portion of the display.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of displaying a plurality of search results from a search of at least one data source includes providing a distinct image for each of the plurality of search results and displaying at least some of the images in distinct initial groups based upon at least one common characteristic of the members of each group. Upon selection of at least one initial group, at least some of the images of the selected group(s) are displayed in distinct sub-groups based upon a common characteristic of the members of each respective sub-group.

Abstract: A display for displaying a high-hierarchical menu and a lower-hierarchical menu corresponding to the high hierarchical menu on a display section, the high-hierarchical menu is displayed on the front side of a virtual cubic menu on the display section, and when it is recognized that the cubic menu has been selected by an inputting operation, the cubic menu is turned and the turning process is displayed with preset interpolation images and then the lower-hierarchical menu is displayed on the top side after the cubic menu is turned. In this manner, the visible continuousness of the change from the high-hierarchical menu to the lower-hierarchical menu can be maintained, thus making it possible to allow the user to easily recognize the change from the high-hierarchical menu to the lower-hierarchical menu.

Abstract: An electronic programming guide (“EPG”) in accordance with the invention provides pictograms and/or logos, to indicate to a television viewer the television programs being displayed on a television. The EPG information display format is thus easier to recognize than prior art EPG formats. In one embodiment, the EPG pictograms have 3D characteristics. The EPG information can be displayed in a window within a television screen while a program is being shown on the remainder of the screen. Thus, the viewer can know what is playing on the various channels while he or she is watching one of the channels. In one embodiment, the EPG is used in conjunction with a remote controller that includes a help button for facilitating operation of the EPG by the user. The EPG comprises a set of geometric surfaces located in virtual 3D space. The pictograms and/or logos, along with alpha-numeric text data and video clips are applied to the geometric surfaces using a 3D graphics pipeline.

Abstract: An icon receptacle is disposed along a depth aspect, and one or more icons are disposed within the icon receptacle, one of which is a stack item.

Abstract: Described is a service visualizer that presents a high-level view of services currently running in a distributed operating system. The service visualizer, which itself may be a service, is visual-based and uses objects (e.g., spheres) suspended in space to represent the ports of services that are currently running. Messages sent between services are represented by particles. The visualizer creates a visual collection for each service port, which in turn creates a port monitor to watch for messages on the port. The resulting visualization may be interacted with, such as for purposes of debugging.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides efficient implementation of intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a three-dimensional space, characterized by x and y dimensions, together defining a plane approximately orthogonal to the user's direction of view into the space. A z dimension, approximately parallel to the direction of view, further characterizes the three-dimensional space. Objects in the space can be defined by x, y, and z coordinate sets. A control is provided having x and y coordinate sets as any other object. The z coordinate set of the control, however, spans a range of values, giving the control an increased depth. The control's range of z can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible only from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the region corresponding to the control initiates interaction with the user according to the control.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a dynamic user interface for a dense three-dimensional scene is presented. Clusters are placed in a three-dimensional scene arranged proximal to each other such cluster to form a cluster spine. Each cluster includes one or more concepts. Each cluster spine is projected into a two-dimensional display relative to a stationary perspective. Controls operating on a view of the cluster spines in the display are presented. A compass logically framing the cluster spines within the display is provided. A label to identify one such concept in one or more of the cluster spines appearing within the compass is generated. A plurality of slots in the two-dimensional display positioned circumferentially around the compass is defined. Each label is assigned to the slot outside of the compass for the cluster spine having a closest angularity to the slot.

Abstract: Media menu items are generated within a media interface environment. Media menu item abstractions are generated, one of the media menu item abstractions arranged in a foreground position, and one or more of the media menu item abstractions arranged in background positions in the media interface environment. Selection of a media menu items transitions to a corresponding content menu interface.

Abstract: Icons are arranged in foreground background positions in an interface environment to define a multidimensional path extending from a terminus. The icons transition between the foreground position and the background positions along the multidimensional path.

Abstract: A method for presenting a user selected status of an object in a three dimensional graphic display is disclosed. The method includes the step of receiving a request to select a property of an object for display. The method further includes the step of displaying at least one property which may be displayed for the object. A selection of a property is received and the value of the selected property for the object is determined. The method further includes the step of generating a status indicator based on the value of the selected property. The status indicator is then displayed relative to the object. In a preferred embodiment, the form of the status indicator is automatically determined by the system. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Electronic devices providing three-dimensional user interface and methods therefore are provided. The electronic device includes a graphical user interface (GUI) unit for producing a GUI, the GUI including a device layer for displaying device information using at least one of side surfaces of a first polygonal pillared shape, and a content layer for displaying content information using at least one of side surfaces of a second polygonal pillared shape; and a control unit for controlling the GUI producing operation of the GUI unit. The devices allow for efficiently operating menus and operating personalized menus according to user's preferences by providing a three-dimensional GUI having a plurality of independently movable layers.

Abstract: An electronic device (160) and method (400) is provided for podcast searching and selecting. The electronic device can provide a display (210) for visualizing podcast attributes and presenting one or more visual icons (350) in a three-dimensional grid (320), wherein a visual icon identifies one or more attributes of a podcast. The electronic device can include a podcast browser (220) for searching and selecting one or more visual icons presented in the display, where the podcast browser provides multi-level viewing for the one or more visual icons.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing apparatus that can make the user easily search for desired data. By mutually superposing and displaying icons of respective plural files and folders, and carrying out the flipping operation for thus superposed and displayed icons, an arbitrary icon is shifted and displayed such that the icon is spread. Accordingly, the operation of searching for a desired icon from among the plural icons can be made more intuitive and comprehensible with a sense of flipping a page of a book. Furthermore, since plural icons indicative of the contents of files and folders corresponding to the respective plural icons are displayed such that the icons are not superposed one another, the user can visually confirm the contents of the respective icons, which makes it possible to easily search for an icon of a desired file or folder, and easily search for desired data consequently.

Abstract: An electronic programming guide (EPG) providing apparatus and method, in which an EPG is configured as a 3D form to facilitate a search for broadcasting program information included in the EPG. The EPG providing apparatus includes an EPG screen configuring unit and a control unit. The EPG screen configuring unit configures an EPG screen such that broadcasting program information is displayed on at least three faces of a 3D polyhedron. The control unit controls the EPG screen configuring unit to configure the EPG screen such that broadcasting program information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel is displayed on the EPG screen based on a user input signal requesting a search for the broadcasting program information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel.

Abstract: A method for storing, displaying, and retrieving user-selected portions of software application data, display, and functional operations includes one or more 3-D objects portrayed on a computer display. The 3-D object has various onscreen data, 3-D object, text portion, switch, video/audio clip, or the like assigned to and displayed on facets of the 3-D object. The 3-D object is rotatable about at least one axes, so that each one of the six surfaces of the 3-D object may be brought into full visualization, while two other surfaces are partially visible. A plurality of 3-D objects may be combined for functional operations among corresponding files stored on the 3-D objects.

Abstract: A 10-Foot media user interface is herein described. A computer user interface may be designed for primary use as a 10-Foot user interface, where a user controls the computer using a remote control device, instead of as a traditional 2-Foot user interface where the user controls the computer using keyboard and mouse from directly in from of the computer. The 10-Foot user interface uses 3D space and animations to more clearly indicate navigation and selection of items in the user interface to the controlling user. Use of three-dimensional space also increases the display screen real estate that is available for content items, and allows the media user interface to move unselected items out of primary view of the user. The user interface may animate movement in three-dimensions to allow the user to more easily conceptually follow navigation of the user interface.

Abstract: A screen in which icons of a plurality of information items are arranged is displayed as a information selecting screen to display information selected from the screen by the user. In the operation, icons of information items of different kinds are horizontally displayed, and a degree of details of the information is changed in the vertical direction and a degree of recommendation of the information to the user is changed in a direction of depth. The user can easily select desired information from a large amount of various contents supplied and the information can be optimally displayed for the user.

Abstract: The present invention is a new 3D graphical user interface (3D GUI) technology that seamlessly integrates personal computer (PC) desktop, web portal, and data visualization functions in an intuitive 3D environment. This new paradigm in human computer interfaces provides a seamless and intuitive ability to create a 3D website, “walk” or navigate from one 3D website to another, and allows multiple users to collaborate and interact with each other and the website. The invention dynamically creates a customized 3D environment that allows intuitive access to complicated websites as well as seamless multi-user collaboration and interaction. —In a preferred embodiment of the invention—The 3D GUI installs as the active desktop on a PC, replacing the user's “wallpaper” with the 3D GUI. —In another embodiment—The 3D GUI is accessed via a standard web browser window (i.e. using Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer).

Abstract: A strong three-dimensional icon is created for low-resolution displays such as used in portable communication devices by alternating light and dark stripes, with some stripes changing from light to dark and back to light to indicate a shadow, and other stripes from dark to light and back to dark to indicate a highlight. Altogether, the light and dark stripes with shadows and highlights provide the icon with a strong three-dimensional appearance.

Abstract: The Brain system employs a graphical user interface to facilitate user interaction with highly flexible, associative “matrices” that enable users to conveniently organize digitally-stored “thoughts” (inter-related information) and their network of inter-relationships. The Brain system offers a solution that facilitates the capture of information from a company's repositories and showcases it in an engaging and dynamic visual interface. The Brain accomplishes this by providing a connector system that serves as an interface between the Brain server and whatever repositories are employed to store data. By use of a special type of connector, the Brain can permit a single user to collaborate with a number of different repositories at different locations and of different sorts under a single associative interface. A client can also interface directly with multiple data stores that are configured for interaction with the associative interface described herein.

Abstract: A communications system comprising includes a network and a plurality of applications connected to the network. Each of the applications handles a different type of communication and stores information concerning incoming communications directed to users of the communications system. At least one computer is connected to the network and receives incoming communications information from selected applications. The at least one computer includes a display and a processor executing a view application. The view application processes the incoming communications information and generates a three-dimensional representation thereof for presentation on the display.

Abstract: A design professional such as an interior designer running a browser program at a client computer (i) optionally causes a digital image of a room, or a room model, or room images to be transmitted across the world wide web to a graphics server computer, and (ii) interactively selects furnishings from this server computer, so as to (iii) receive and display to his or her client a high-fidelity high-quality virtual-reality perspective-view image of furnishings displayed in, most commonly, an actual room of a client's home. Opticians may, for example, (i) upload one or more images of a client's head, and (ii) select eyeglass frames and components, to (iii) display to a prospective customer eyeglasses upon the customer's own head. The realistic images, optionally provided to bona fide design professionals for free, promote the sale to the client of goods which are normally obtained through the graphics service provider, profiting both the service provider and the design professional.

Abstract: A digital interactive television set has a graphical user interface for displaying content from a plurality of different sources on its screen e.g. from digital satellite or cable broadcasts or through the Internet, the interface comprising: a focus region (16), and horizontally and vertically extending scroll bars (H, V) which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the horizontal scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources. Elements of the horizontal scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus region, and the scroll bar elements of the vertical scroll bar signify content sources which are included within a grouping thereof associated with the individual element of the horizontal scroll bar, so that the scroll bar elements of the vertical scroll bar can then be scrolled through the focus region to select a content source of the grouping.

Abstract: A controller configuration system and user interface therefor are disclosed for creating and editing controller function block diagrams for use in control systems. The interface provides feedback loop identification features, wire connection cross-referencing and hyperlinks, wire connector name matching, pin datatype visualization, correct wiring indication and wiring error indications, and intelligent deletion and restoration features. In addition, the interface provides block morphing, free-form text boxes, error navigation, error indication, and block execution status information.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for defining mating properties of a graphical component in a computer-implemented drawing program. An option to create a first constraint interface for a first geometric characteristic of a first component is initiated. In response to the initiation, a dialog window for specifying settings for the first constraint interface regardless of whether a second constraint interface is currently displayed is displayed. The settings define mating properties for how the first geometric characteristic of the first component mates with the second constraint interface. Once specified, the first constraint interface of the first geometric characteristic is persisted with the first component.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for accessing data objects from a storage medium includes rendering a combination of graphical structures. Each graphical structure depicts a storage hierarchy or logic, and can include a link or reference to stored data objects. The combination of graphical structures defines a number of graphical objects. Each graphical object is associated with a coordinate display and linking mechanism to access one or more data objects represented by the graphical object. Thus, a number of collections of data objects is represented graphically for quick access.