Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for selecting and reserving airline seats. The system or method receives first data representing payment information over the network from a general purpose computer. The system or method also transmits second data to an application running on the general purpose computer, the second data including information descriptive of available individual seats on one or more airplanes, the second data processed by the application to generate a graphical user interface on the general purpose computer that comprises an interactive seating map representing individual seats on the one or more airplanes, the second data processed by the application to generate an additional display of information about selection of seats in response to a user interaction with the graphical user interface, the interaction being triggered when placing a mouse over a portion of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for ordering through a customer ordering kiosk, comprising the steps of displaying a list of restaurant items within an ordering interface screen, receiving a selection signal indicating one or more of the restaurant items has been selected, displaying one or more of the selected restaurant items within an order cart interface screen and receiving a selection signal indicating a selector box corresponding to the ingredient option has been selected. Each of the selected restaurant items includes at least one selector box representing an ingredient option for the selected restaurant item that the customer can interact with to customize the amount of that ingredient on the selected restaurant item. If the customer elects to remove an ingredient from the restaurant item, the selected ingredient option is highlighted to indicate that it is omitted from the restaurant item.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of defining the outsourcing of technology based services, the method including the steps of: defining a plurality of technology based services that are to be provided by one or more service providers to a customer; defining a plurality of activities associated with the services; displaying the services and activities on a graphical user interface; detecting a selection of one of the activities; and displaying further information on the interface based on the selected activity, wherein the further information provides a guide on how to define the outsourcing of the selected activity.

Abstract: A system for determining an optimum route to a destination by a navigation system of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a navigation system, a remote information system, and a data communication network linking the navigation system and the remote information system. A method is also disclosed that includes the steps of establishing a communication connection between the navigation system and the remote information system, and determining the optimum route to the destination where the optimum route is determined based on requested information received from the remote information system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing multi-selection, wherein the method comprises: opening and displaying an object group on a display device, the object group comprising at least one object; determining an object corresponding to a first selection instruction from the at least one object based on the first selection instruction, and establishing a first correspondence between the first selection instruction and the object corresponding to the first selection instruction; determining an object corresponding to a second selection instruction from the at least one object based on the second selection instruction, and establishing a second correspondence between the second selection instruction and the object corresponding to the second selection instruction, the second selection instruction being different from the first selection instruction; operating the at least one object based on the first and second correspondences, the operation being conducted according to the first and

Abstract: A user selects one or more check boxes on a collection coversheet to identify, by location on the coversheet, target documents within a previously stored collection of documents. The check boxes also specify actions to be performed on the target documents. The coversheet is scanned and the check boxes are located and read to determine which have been marked. The specified actions are then performed on the target documents. If the specified actions change the organization or architecture of the document collection, an updated version of the collection may be generated and stored, and a new coversheet may be printed.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively configuring features and functions of a consolidated software application for particular end users.

Abstract: A method of achieving an operation by sequentially selecting menu items arranged in a plurality of menu levels is provided. The method includes the steps of: generating a menu in which one or more menu items are arranged along a predetermined direction on a display screen; and controlling display of the generated menu. In the present method, a display form of one of the menu levels, which was previously available for selection, changes in response to an operation for shifting the menu level.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to manipulate a drawing surface in a CAD/GIS computer application. A drawing surface is displayed in a CAD/GIS application followed by the performance of a surface edit operation on the drawing surface. The surface edit operation is stored/saved as an atomic property in a list of surface edit operations. The list of surface edit operations is displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI). Each surface edit operation may be independently toggled on/off in the GUI and such toggling is reflected in the CAD/GIS application by displaying an effect of executing the surface edit operation if toggled on and displaying the drawing surface without execution of the surface edit operation if toggled off.

Abstract: A system includes a user device and a content processing system establishing a provider homepage template and a plurality of content categories. The content processing system receives a first plurality of content and a first plurality of metadata from a first content provider, receives a first plurality of content categories corresponding to each of the respective first plurality of content. The content processing system receives a second plurality of content and a second plurality of metadata from a second content provider and receives a second plurality of content categories corresponding to each of the respective second plurality of content at a content processing system. The content processing system also receives homepage information for a first provider and communicates the first plurality of metadata, the second plurality of metadata, the first plurality of content categories and the second plurality of content categories to the user device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing media items is disclosed. The method involves selecting a sub-set (106) of the media items (102), and concurrently displaying a spatial representation (606) and a temporal representation (610) of the selected sub-set. Using this starting point, a user can browse, using either a temporal control input (414) or a spatial control input (406), applied to the associated temporal or spatial display (610, 606 respectively), to modify the media item selection (106). The display corresponding to the non-selected navigation mode is automatically and contemporaneously changed to reflect the change in the media item selection.

Abstract: An enhanced multiple item selection method for a mobile terminal is provided. The enhanced multiple item selection method enables selecting multiple data items by effectively selecting corresponding data items listed of a data item list. The multiple item selection method of the present invention includes displaying a data item list comprising a plurality of data items, marking, if a multiple item selection mode command is detected, a selection marker on a data item on which a cursor is located, and selecting multiple data items by navigating the cursor across two or more of the plurality of data items of the data item list.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating toolbar dimensions are provided. Each toolbar includes a number of toolbar components having a textual representation and a graphic representation. As the toolbar dimensions are adjusted, a first size threshold defines when to adjust the graphic representation while maintaining the text representation, a second size threshold defines when to omit the textual representation and adjust the graphic representation and a third size threshold determines when to omit the graphic representation and fix the textual representation.

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 as a hierarchical view of the cluster spines in the display. Folder controls operating on the hierarchical view are presented. The hierarchical view includes an indicator representing each cluster spine and a line indicating the cluster spine interrelationships relative to other cluster spines. A label is generated to identify one such concept included in each cluster spine in the hierarchical view.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that provides for running an application on a handheld electronic device and thereby causing an application page to be displayed on a display screen of the handheld electronic device. The system and method further provides for displaying a menu of user-selectable actions relevant to the displayed page and default-designating a safe action for user selection so that in the event that the user inadvertently actuates the safe action, detrimental affects are minimized.

Abstract: A computer, connected to a communications bus, includes a display that selectively displays a user interface. A plurality of diagnostic applications installed on the computer are capable of receiving data from the communications bus via the connection. Instructions executable on the computer provide a list of the diagnostic applications in the user interface, accept input indicating one of the diagnostic applications to be launched, and launch the indicated diagnostic application. In one embodiment, the communications bus is in a vehicle.

Abstract: Controlling checkbox status by selecting and deselecting checkboxes in a GUI according to a mode of operation, the GUI having displayed upon it a set of checkboxes comprising a multiplicity of checkboxes, wherein each checkbox comprises a selection status indicating whether each checkbox is selected; detecting a mode selection event; and changing the mode of operation in dependence upon the detected mode selection event. In some exemplary embodiments each checkbox comprises a drag status and the method includes toggling the status of the first checkbox and statefully toggling the selection status of checkboxes experiencing drag event in dependence upon drag status, the new state of the first checkbox, and the original state of the current checkbox.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adaptive menu design and items presentation reflecting cognitive characteristics. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technique to provide menu items reflecting human cognitive characteristics so as to apply for computer OS, the Internet browsers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) as well as computer programs.

Abstract: A selection apparatus providing user friendly interface for visually impaired people. The selection apparatus may contain a touch screen and a guide structure. The guide structure is disposed along the touch buttons in the touch screen, and contains touch points corresponding to the touch buttons. The touch points are designed such that a different sensation is felt when a user slides an object (e.g., finger) along the selection structure. An exit may be designed to help lead the object from each touch point to corresponding touch button. Thus, a visually impaired person may slide a finger along the guide structure, feel a touch points and use the associated exit to locate a corresponding touch button.

Abstract: The execution process registration unit is a function unit for causing a user to register in advance the information about the process (function) that is assigned to each button, and for storing the information. A command display unit controls an initial screen display, an execution process display unit controls the screen display during operation, and a command execution unit executes the process in accordance with the operation (time), on the basis of the information that is registered in advance.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for ordering multiple elements within a set of elements in a list in a data processing system. The set of elements are presented in a list format in a graphical user interface. The present invention waits for a first user input selecting the elements within the set of elements. In response to detecting the first user input, monitoring is performed for a second user input indicating a movement of the selected elements within the set of elements. In response to detecting the second user input, the selected elements are automatically reordered within the set of elements based on the user input. In this manner, the elements may be manipulated within the list using a single user input rather that requiring a user input to manipulate each element individually.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a bezel feature, a connector and a processor. The bezel feature is provided on the front panel and interfaces with the processor. The bezel feature includes a circumferential track provided on the front panel and is formed by a contact-sensitive material that provides a surface capable of detecting contact from a user at multiple positions on the track. The contact indicates an input based on both a starting position and a finishing position of the contact on the track. The processor is configured to calculate the input based on the starting position and the finishing position and to perform an operation corresponding to a selection of an application based on the input.

Abstract: An instance browser including a repository of class and relation definitions, a server for responding to queries relating to class and relation definitions in the repository, and a graphical user interface including icons for representing instances of classes. A method is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic delivery of a phone call on a device (e.g. a portable computer system) regardless of whether other tasks are running on the operating system. A separate background task (“thread”), independent of the operating system, enables telephony functionality without regard to the mode of a graphical user interface. The background task is always active and functions to respond to an incoming call even if the user is in a graphical user interface window that requires some input from the user (e.g. the graphical user interface is blocked). In one embodiment, the background task running under the operating system monitors an interrupt line and controls the serial port connected to a phone chipset/module. The background task also senses any of the device's buttons and controls any ringer, vibrator or LEDs of the device's hardware. In one embodiment, if the graphical user interface is not blocked then one or more phone related displays can automatically be displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A common on-screen zone provides two or more methods of activating a command. The user can perform a first action, such as a stroke or gesture within the zone to activate a command according to one method, or can perform a second action, such as clicking or pressing a button within the same zone to activate a menu including the same command.

Abstract: A structure and method for supplying a graphic user interface for a computer. The graphic user interface comprises a schedule having at least one time slot identifying at least one activity and at least one link associated with the activity. The link starts at least one computer program and opens a computer file associated with the activity.

Abstract: A flexible recipe modeling system and method is provided for improving the processing reliability of a fabrication process by customizing recipes processed by fabrication equipment including associated different chambers of a multi-chamber processing machine by allowing a responsible engineer to add or modify individual recipe clusters including grouping of recipes into clusters to represent the same process capacity for a piece of fabrication equipment and providing a material execute system having a recipe cluster management engine (RCME) for management of the RCMS.

Abstract: A method for stateful toggling of check box status, implemented as a software program installed and operating on a computer comprising a computer processor coupled to computer memory. Embodiments of the invention include detecting a touch event on a first check box, toggling the status of the first check box to a new status, and repeatedly, for a multiplicity of repetitions, carrying out the steps of detecting a drag event for each additional check box onto which a user drags the pointer, wherein the user drags the pointer onto at least one additional check box, and statefully toggling the status of each additional touch box for which a drag event is detected to the new status of the first check box.

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 for processing data contains links to information in a data browsing system, thereby providing user control over link activation behavior. As data is received, it is parsed to identify a link. Link-option data is then generated and inserted into the received data, such that a user may retrieve the information identified by the link in response to selection of the link-option data independent of retrieving the information in response to selection of the link. For example, the link-option data may be capable of retrieving the information for display in a current presentation instance, in a separate presentation instance overlaid upon the current presentation instance, in a separate presentation instance side-by-side with the current presentation instance, or in a separate presentation instance with minimization of the current presentation instance.

Abstract: A method of selecting and editing a plurality of digitally represented still images in a computer environment is provided. The method includes the use of a graphical user interface having a display and a user interface selection device, and includes the steps of opening the data files of the images to be edited, displaying the images, and displaying a task pane including at least one editing task entry having a specified multiple-image editing task command. A group of all or some of the images is formed by the user selecting the images to be edited, and an editing task execution signal is received which is indicative of the user selecting the desired editing task entry on the task pane. In response to receipt of the editing task execution signal, the specified editing task command is performed on the group of selected still images.

Abstract: A graphic programming system for associating distinctive arrow appearances to specific transaction(s) that the arrow may convey among and between on-screen objects. The distinctive appearance features include arrow color, arrow style, and double-headed arrows, among many other possibilities. The system provides default relationships between specific arrow transactions and arrow appearance, so that, for example, a arrow of a particular color is recognized by the system (and easily identified by the user) to carry out a particular transaction. These relationships may be selectively varied by the user to suit individual needs.

Abstract: In order to provide a configuration with which a desired function can be started rapidly from a function menu of an electronic device having a plurality of functions together, a circular menu is displayed on a main LCD 21, a function item activated is shifted item by item in response to left-and-right directional operation of a cross-shaped key in a main operation part 25, and a function item located at the opposite position in the circular menu is activated in response to up-and-down directional operation of the same.

Abstract: A Drop Down Menu Program having an Item Selection Program, a Sorting Program, and a Recall Program. The Item Selection Program eliminates the need for the user to hold down the shift key or the control key while making multiple selections. Instead, the user may activate a menu item to highlight it, and activate the menu item again to remove the highlight. The user may also open and close the drop down menu. The Sorting Program organizes the menu items in order of frequency of use. The Sorting Program also provides ascending and descending sort buttons that allow the user to sort the menu items in ascending or descending alphabetical, numeric, or chronological order. The Recall Program creates a recall list of selected menu items when the user activates a recall button. The recall list can be displayed and removed independent of opening and closing actions of the drop down menu.