Abstract: Animations enhance viewing and consumption of electronic items that are presented to a user on a screen of a computing device. These animations may occur in response to receiving an instruction to move a position of a cursor displayed on the screen of the computing device. A user may trigger this instruction, for instance, by selecting a portion of the electronic content with use of the cursor. In response to the selection, the cursor or some other entity may undergo some form of animation. This animation may notify the user that the selection is being processed, and may also indicate a future position of the cursor at a time after the selection is processed.

Abstract: A system for playing audio content, visual content, or audio-visual content includes a base panel that incorporates loudspeakers, amplifiers, a display/control surface, charging circuitry for any objects placed upon the display surface, and capacitive sensors to display and control the user interface. Also included are one or more portable units having housings in the shape of aesthetically-pleasing structures. These portable units include data storage components (such as hard disk drives, optical drives, flash memories, etc.) for storing the content to be played, and incorporate electronics within but have no visible controls. As the portable units are placed at any location on the display surface, a GUI automatically appears under and around the units, indicating content, controls, etc. Commands can be entered on the GUI for controlling the transfer of the content from or to the portable units and for controlling the playing of the content by the base panel.

Abstract: A portable device with a touch screen display detects a contact area of a finger with the touch screen display and then determines a first position associated with the contact area. The cursor position of the finger contact is determined, at least in part, based on: the first position, one or more distances between the first position and one or more of the user interface objects; and one or more activation susceptibility numbers, each associated with a respective user interface object in the plurality of user interface objects. If the cursor position falls into the hidden hit region of a virtual push button on the touch screen display, the portable device is activated to perform operations associated with the virtual push button.

Abstract: A software tool automatically places files and folders of a software program within segments of a DVD. The segments are defined by security placeholders, and the disposition of the placeholders is initially randomly determined, consistent with predefined rules. The placeholders are included on the disc to hinder unauthorized copying. A developer generally defines the order in which the files and folders are to be laid out, and the software tool automatically places the files and folders, filling successive segments and shifting the placeholders to accommodate files that will not fit in a current segment. However, any movement of the placeholders must be done by the tool and is only permitted if the new disposition of the placeholder is in accord with the predefined rules. A user can manually modify the automated layout, and in response, the files and folders are automatically shifted to accommodate the changes introduced by the user.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes an operating portion, a display screen portion capable of displaying a first screen having a first selection region selected when a state where the pointer is overlapped is held for a first time and a second screen having a second selection region selected when a state where the pointer is overlapped is held for a second time, and a control portion performing control of moving a display position of the pointer in a first direction so that the pointer does not overlap the second selection region, when the first selection region is selected to be switched to the second screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a pointing device is provided in which time efficiency of a pointing device such as a mouse can be evaluated intuitively from a viewpoint of a user who uses a system. The apparatus displays a trajectory of a pointer on a screen based on a movement of the pointer on the screen in accordance with data input from the pointing device, and evaluates the time efficiency of the pointing device based on whether the pointer has moved along a predetermined graphic as an index.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing cursor events may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive an indication of a cursor event of a cursor presented within and associated with a sourcing window of a user interface that also includes a sourced window, wherein the cursor of the sourcing window indicates a geographical location within the geographical area presented by the sourcing window. Additionally, the processor may be configured to communicate information reflecting the cursor event to the sourced window. The processor may further be configured to subject the cursor of the sourced window to the cursor event reflected by the information to thereby synchronize a cursor event of the cursor of the sourced window with the cursor event of the cursor of the sourcing window, wherein the cursor of the sourced window indicates the geographical location indicated by the cursor of the sourcing window.

Abstract: A system for ordering on-screen windows for display is disclosed in which an active window partially overlaps an inactive window and hides a portion of the inactive window. The movement of a mouse pointer is monitored to determine its location on the screen. In response to the inactive window being selected with the mouse pointer, the inactive window is given focus to enable the inactive window to receive event signals even though a portion of the inactive window remains hidden, whereby original display depths of the windows is maintained.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a touch-screen user interface, and an electronic device using the method. The method includes receiving a touch-screen position of a hotkey for executing a specific function, which is input via a user's touch, and creating the hotkey at the specified position.

Abstract: Documents are preloaded from a server to a client device before the client device submits a request for the preloaded documents. The server predicts which documents to preload based on past user browsing activities at the client device and document layouts. At the client device, specific graphical features may be applied to the links to the preloaded documents such that a user can easily tell which document link is associated with the preloaded documents.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a mouse cursor is presented. During the mouse cursor update display cycle, a test on the current mouse speed is made. If the mouse cursor's speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated and displayed on the computer screen. According to one embodiment, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated by increasing the size of a standard mouse cursor in proportion to the speed of the mouse cursor. According to an alternative embodiment, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated by interpolating the mouse cursor's path and adding a motion-blur effect along the interpolated path. According to yet another embodiment, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated by interpolating the mouse cursor's path and a plurality of mouse cursor images are displayed along the interpolated path.

Abstract: The present invention is a graphical user interface in a computing device having a processor running an operating system and a display. The graphical user interface comprises a touch screen and a driver coupling the touch screen to the operating system. The driver can display a plurality of icons on the touch screen, or a plurality of screen images having at least one icon, with each of the icons associated with operations on the display and/or the touch screen. Other embodiments include the touch screen having unactivated and activated states, as well as the presence of an application programming interface that enables an application to display at least one image on the touch screen.

Abstract: Properties of real nodes are selected by which to organize the real nodes as leaf nodes in a tree graph. A number of virtual nodes are provided, each representing a value of a selected property for at least one of the real nodes. The virtual nodes and real nodes are organized into the tree graph, the virtual nodes positioned along branches starting at a root node and ending at a real node, the virtual nodes in a unique path from the root node to a real node representing the values of the selected properties for the real node. The tree graph is displayed, and can be reconfigured by dragging and dropping a virtual node to a different level in the hierarchy of the tree graph.

Abstract: A computer navigation system and method has one or more interactive links displayed on a display connected to a computer appliance, and one or more visual linktags associated with individual ones of the one or more interactive links, the linktags displaying one or more numbers, characters or symbols, the system enabled to initiate an interactive link in the display upon user input of one of the numbers, characters or symbols in a linktag.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for providing a navigable grid to allow for accessible drag-drop in visual modeling tools. The method includes receiving an input which selects an object. The method further includes providing a visual canvas on a display device. The method further includes overlaying the navigable grid onto the canvas, the overlying navigable grid being of a defined granularity, the defined granularity being based on an underlying application being implemented, the overlying navigable grid further being keyed input device-navigable based on the defined granularity. The method further includes designating a drop position on the navigable grid when a position input is received via a keyed input device. The method further includes dropping the object onto a destination position of the canvas when a drop command input is received. The drop position on the overlying navigable grid is directly aligned over the destination position of the canvas.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling operation of a cursor on a display screen of a computer system. In the operation of the computer system, one or more areas on the display screen are designated as user interface areas for receiving input from a user via a Graphical User Interface. The preferred method of this invention comprises the steps of, for each of the user interface areas, designating an area on the display screen as an associated cursor-auto area; and the user applying input to the computer system to move the cursor on the display screen and into one of the cursor-auto areas. When the cursor moves into said one of the cursor-auto areas, the computer system automatically performs a predefined operation to associate visually the cursor with the user interface area associated with said one of the cursor-auto areas.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for selecting links in a page using an enhanced mouse pointer. The page is displayed in a data processing system that includes a mouse that includes a scroll wheel. Multiple links are included in the page. A standard mouse pointer is displayed in the page. An enhanced mouse pointer state is then invoked causing the standard mouse pointer to become an enhanced mouse pointer. In response to invoking the enhanced mouse pointer state, a closest one of the links in the page to the enhanced standard mouse pointer is determined. An enhanced mouse pointer indicator is displayed that extends from the enhanced mouse pointer to the determined closest one of the links. The links may be scrolled through by rotating the scroll wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-handed input control system that dynamically changes an input-to-object mapping for mapping movement of a graphical object on a display of a virtual scene as the viewpoint of the virtual scene changes. As input to the system for changing the position of the graphical object occurs, the mapping is revised to reflect changes in the viewpoint so that the object moves as inherently expected. That is, changes to the viewpoint change the mapping so that a correspondence between the viewpoint and the input space is always maintained. During movement of the object a screen cursor is visually suppressed so that the movement of the graphical object and the screen cursor do not split the attention of the user. The screen cursor is always maintained within the visual display region of the virtual scene even when the object moves out of the visual display region by moving the cursor to a center of the screen when it reaches an edge of the screen.

Abstract: A system and method for improved directional focus navigation in a user interface is provided. The directional focus navigation engine may receive directional input for changing the input focus of a user interface object in the user interface. A target candidate selector may select target candidates in a direction of travel among one or more user interface objects for receiving the input focus. A target candidate scorer may score the target candidates selected and the directional focus navigation engine may change the input focus to user interface object based upon the scoring. Scoring the target candidates may be biased when navigation continues in the same traversal direction for changing input focus.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing navigation of a topology within a visual display. A system is disclosed including: a system for displaying an enhanced mouse pointer in a current view, wherein the enhanced mouse pointer includes an indicator that points to a resource outside the current view; and a processing system for calculating the indicator by analyzing resources in the topology.

Abstract: A system to position an element on a visual display is provided. The disclosed system comprises a touch detection module that detects a touch upon a touch-sensitive surface of a visual display. Also included is a position module that receives input from the touch detection module to derive a position of a touch. Further, an offset module derives an offset for an element of a user interface. Methods of using this system are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method include transitioning a cursor on a display towards a target, detecting an active cursor navigation control field around the target, and automatically positioning the cursor in a center region of the target when the cursor reaches the cursor navigation control field.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for controlling at least one graphical pointer on a work area of a computer display, comprising at least one element, corresponding to said at least one graphical pointer, capable to move on an area included in a tablet, and sensor means capable to detect the position of said at least one element in said area of the tablet, a one-to-one relationship existing between the position of said at least one element within said area of the tablet and the position of said at least one graphical pointer on said work area of the display, wherein said at least one element is movable by means of motion means according to at least two degrees of freedom with respect to the tablet, and in that the means for sensing the position of said at least one element sends one or more signals to processing means capable to process them for determining the position of said at least one graphical pointer corresponding one-to-one with the position of said at least one element.

Abstract: A right link of each button to be displayed on a display device is set in such a way that the position of an anchor moves through all the buttons from the left to the right. In response to an initial input of the right direction key, the position of the anchor moves from the button currently pointed to by the anchor to a button of the right link destination. In response to a continuous input of the right direction key, the position of the anchor moves to the button of the right link destination when one of buttons other than a button at the right end is currently pointed to by the anchor, but does not move when the button at the right end is currently pointed to by the anchor.

Abstract: An image display apparatus which is capable of operating smoothly over a plurality of image display devices. When a pen has come into continuous contact with a first display screen, a system controller determines whether or not the pen has got out of contact with an edge of the first display screen. When the system controller determines that the pen has got out of contact with the first display screen at the edge thereof, a time period elapsed is measured while the pen is held out of contact with the first display screen at the edge thereof. When the measured time period is less than a predetermined time period, the system controller outputs pointing information indicative of a position of the edge of the first display screen with which the pen got out of contact, to indicate that the pen has been held in the continuous contact with the first display screen.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and a pointer display method thereof are provided. The pointer display method includes displaying a pointer on the screen of a mobile terminal, hiding the pointer from view if the pointer is moved into a pointer-containing zone, and notifying a user that the pointer is contained in the pointer-containing zone. In this manner, it is possible to effectively hide the pointer from view according to user input.

Abstract: A graphical user interface system may position and orient a user interface element to be displayed on an optically-sensitive display surface. The position of the object may be based on the position of a point of contact that an object (e.g., a person's finger, a block of wood, etc.) makes against the display surface. The orientation of the object may be determined using the shadow cast by the object on the surface. An axis may be determined between the shadow and the point of contact, and the axis may be used as a frame of reference (e.g., a vertical axis) for the orientation of the interface element. Further movement of the object and/or shadow can either result in further movement/reorientation of the interface, or as an actual input to the interface. If used for an actual input, the interface may be fixed at its initial position and orientation to allow the additional movement to be interpreted.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for choosing a position on a display having a cursor. In one aspect, an exemplary method, which can be computer-implemented, includes the steps of automatically moving the cursor in a predetermined during-selection mode in response to a first user-initiated action, and, responsive to a second user-initiated action when the cursor is at a first location, ceasing the moving of the cursor in the predetermined during-selection mode, and causing a choosing action to be performed at the first location, such that the first location is chosen as the position.

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 cursor wrapping around the view id the 3D scene with continued motion of the cursor in the direction of movement by the user.

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 walk tool GUI that has a quite motion zone in which a cursor can be moved without causing view motion and arrow cursors that control direction and speed when positioned relative to the zone.

Abstract: A distance between a cursor and an object displayed on a Web page or other image automatically controls a volume with which an audio file associated with the object is played. A user can thus explore a displayed image to discover audio files associated with different objects or portions of the displayed image. The audio files can provide instructions, data, music, sound effects, or almost any other form of audible sound desired. The designer and/or the user of the displayed image can set parameters that control how the audio files are played, such as the maximum distance of a cursor from an object to initiate play, the relative priority of the objects, and the maximum number of audio files that are simultaneously played.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to stabilize a pointer displayed within an output image. The method enables the user to magnify selected areas within the output image. This allows the user to ‘zoom’ in on areas of interest in the output image, and to make accurate selections with the stabilized pointer. Design features of the method enable pixel and sub-pixel accurate pointing, which is not possible with most conventional direct pointing devices. The invention can be worked for 2D and 3D pointers.

Abstract: Automatically linking a cursor to a hotspot in a hypervideo stream comprising a plurality of video frames that are associated with at least one selectable hotspot include receiving a hypervideo stream of a first video frame associated with a selectable hotspot in a first activiation region of the first video frame, and determining whether a first position of a cursor is substantially within the first activiation region corresponding to the selectable hotspot. The cursor is associated with the selectable hotspot when the first position of the cursor is substantially within the first activiation region corresponding to the selectable hotspot in the first video frame. The hypervideo stream of a second video frame associated with the selectable hotspot in a second activation region different from the first activation region is received, and the cursor is automatically moved to a second position in the second video frame based on the association.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for choosing a position on a display having a cursor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented graphics program for drawing a spline. The spline is drawn using a first method in the graphics program. Thereafter, the graphics program seamlessly switches from drawing the spline using the first method to drawing the spline using a second method, in response to a first user command. Further, the graphics program may also seamlessly switch from drawing the spline using the second method to drawing the spline using the first method, in response to a second user command.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for manipulating screen objects utilizing multiband regions of influence. Positioning a reference point of an object within a particular band invokes a particular functionality or operation related to that band. In one embodiment, three types of functionality are provided. Moving a reference datum (for example, a line representing an edge or a user defined reference point) of an object A into a first band of an object B places object A under the influence of object B's gravity, causing object A to be pulled into precise alignment with object B. Moving the reference point of object A from the first band into a second band turns off object B's gravity, allowing object A to be freely moved to any arbitrary position near the object B. Moving the reference point of the object A to a position outside all bands causes object B's gravity function to be turned back on.

Abstract: A method of using capacitance-sensitive touchpad, wherein the touchpad includes a plurality of zones on a surface thereof, wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of scrolling within a window in a graphical user interface, and wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of movement of a cursor performing edge motion in the graphical user interface, thus making edge motion and scrolling dependent only upon a detected location of a finger within the plurality of zones, and not dependent upon detecting movement of the finger.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to assisting users to position a pointer on a target. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer-readable medium that guide a pointer toward a target. After the pointer is located on a target, pointer movement continues to be adjusted so that the user may easily keep the pointer located on the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems for classifying images, such as photographs, allow a user to incorporate subjective judgments regarding photograph qualities when making classification decisions. A slide-show interface allows a user to classify and advance photographs with a one-key action or a single interaction event. The interface presents related information relevant to a displayed photograph that is to be classified, such as contiguous photographs, similar photographs, and other versions of the same photograph. The methods and systems provide an overview interface which allows a user to review and refine classification decisions in the context of the original sequence of photographs.

Abstract: In an operation method for processing data file of the present invention, reduced-size images and file icons of small area associated with the reduced-size images are displayed in pairs at predetermined interval between a reduced-size image and a file icon in each pair, and at least the data file is processed with a function as selected or the display position of the reduced-size image is changed by performing drag-and-drop operations on the file icons instead of performing a drag-and-drop operation on the reduced-size image directly as in the conventional method. According to the foregoing arrangement of the present invention, the reduced-size image can be displayed without reducing the size even while a drag-and-drop operation is being performed, and it is therefore possible to identify each data file based on the reduced-size image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer-readable medium that adjusts pointer movement when an input device causes the pointer to intersect one or more alignment areas. Pointer movement is adjusted in the alignment areas to allow users to easily align GUI objects. The adjusted pointer movement is not proportional to input received from an input device. Instead alignment areas have “friction” in that the pointer is less responsive to input compared to other areas of the computer display.

Abstract: a method for navigating a pointer on a graphical user interface (GUI) includes the steps of: scrolling an input device to locate the pointer corresponding to the input device on a point of interest within the GUI, depressing an actuating button associated with the input device on the point of interest, obtaining a detailed view of the point of interest while centering the point of interest on the GUI and maintaining a position of the pointer on the point of interest.

Abstract: Touch panel systems and methods are disclosed that can distinguish temporally overlapping touch inputs from single touch inputs so that valid touch position coordinates can be determined. Touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can distinguish overlapping touches by comparing signal magnitudes to specified thresholds, by comparing the rates of change of signal magnitudes or measured positions to determined parameters, by locating the proximity a calculated location to icons or other such active areas, and the like. Because touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can discriminate single touches from double touches, they can be used in multiple user applications such as multiplayer games as well as in applications that may be subject to rapidly successive or overlapping touch inputs.

Abstract: A two part method for improving the usage of a pointing device by a physically impaired user is disclosed. A first method is provided for learning how a user moves the pointing device by acquiring motion data for a user and generating motion vectors corresponding to when the user moves from source point icons to destination point icons. A second method of combining the learned user motion data with an application program where the user navigates the pointing device to select program icons on a graphical user interface (GUI) screen is provided. The method determines when the actual motion vector is similar to a previously acquired motion vector with a similar source point. The method predicts a destination point icon and highlights and locks the prediction icon until the user either actuates the iconor generates motion vectors that indicate that another destination point icon is the more likely destination.

Abstract: A system for minimizing unintended cursor movement in computer display systems, using GUI operating systems or software, that can result from such things as muscle spasms, or rough travel is disclosed. A cursor control device, such as a mouse, is monitored for signals of movement. Once a signal of movement has been received, the signal is then evaluated. This evaluation involves determining whether the signal for movement is ancillary to an intended movement or it is an intended movement. If the signal for movement is determined to be ancillary, it is then corrected. If the signal for movement is an intended movement, the signal is then passed on to the operating system for processing. The correcting can be done in the analog domain by utilizing a filter of some form, such as a bandpass filter, or it can be done in the digital domain by masking out undesired portions of the signals of movement and retaining only the portions of the signal that facilitate movement along an intended path.

Abstract: Navigating on a display includes tracking motion of an input tool on a display, comparing a motion of the input tool to a threshold, and changing a position of the visible portion of a page of information on the display if the input tool motion exceeds the threshold. The position of the visible portion of the page of information on the display is constrained if the motion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for facilitating navigation techniques in a three-dimensional virtual environment. The present invention couples input driving techniques to the state of one or more workspace variables (e.g., object state, virtual body state, environment state) to change the user's viewing context within a single input control motion. Modification of the user's viewing context allows navigation to various positions and orientations with out the need to be provided with that viewing context prior to navigation. The modification of the user's viewing context also allows for single input motion employing the same input drive controls.

Abstract: A cursor is moved through regions of text 300 having differing directions to a location visually adjacent to a previous cursor location. The cursor is moved in the direction of requested cursor movement even when moving from text having a first direction to text having a second direction. A comparison of direction for current and proposed cursor locations is made 810 in both a method and apparatus for so moving the cursor. The direction of a character to be inserted is also examined 816 in determining the next location of the cursor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of interactive navigation of a tool relative to three-dimensional volumetric data. The tool may be a camera or a brush and the volume data may be points, curves, iso-surfaces, geometric surfaces or combinations thereof. Moreover, the volume data may be explicitly or implicitly created. In the case of a camera and a surface, a surface of the model is viewed from an initial view point with an initial view direction. A two-dimensional vector, as by moving a mouse, is used to translate the initial view point to a next view point in a plane normal to the view direction and intersecting the initial view point. A point of the surface that is closest to the next view point may then be found, and the next direction of the view is set to the direction from the next position of the view point to the closest surface point. The closest point is found by casting rays from the next view point.

Abstract: A method of Web-site host consistency administration provides for consistent presentation of data despite presentation on client machines with inconsistent software-object libraries. The host sends screen images which contact the client's onboard DLLs as little as possible. That way, inconsistency problems called binary incompatibilities are avoided. The client is excused from most of the processing load. The client's role is practically limited to displaying the received screens and sending out keystrokes and cursor-moving device inputs. The light role given the client correspondingly shifts more of a load on server-side processing and data storage. Nevertheless, the method provides high assurance the any client sees substantially the same result for the same request despite differences or inconsistencies in software-object libraries onboard the client's machine.