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 software object display system using an adaptation layer to obtain information concerning a number of software objects is described. The adaptation layer communicates to a presentation layer which produces a display for the software objects. The adaptation layer isolates the presentation layer from the details of the structures of the software objects to be displayed. The adaptation layer provides a standard set of data to the presentation layer for the presentation layer to display.

Abstract: Architecture for implementing a perceptual user interface. The architecture comprises alternative modalities for controlling computer application programs and manipulating on-screen objects through hand gestures or a combination of hand gestures and verbal commands. The perceptual user interface system includes a tracking component that detects object characteristics of at least one of a plurality of objects within a scene, and tracks the respective object. Detection of object characteristics is based at least in part upon image comparison of a plurality of images relative to a course mapping of the images. A seeding component iteratively seeds the tracking component with object hypotheses based upon the presence of the object characteristics and the image comparison. A filtering component selectively removes the tracked object from the object hypotheses and/or at least one object hypothesis from the set of object hypotheses based upon predetermined removal criteria.

Abstract: A display method including the steps of displaying document data and/or content data including a plurality of objects, controlling an arrangement position of a translucent focus area on a display unit, where the focus area is provided to make the object enter a selection state, detecting a position on the display unit, where a user contacts the display unit at the position, and moving the focus area as the contact position is moved when the detected arrangement position of the focus area is approximately equivalent to the detected contact position is provided.

Abstract: A system that allows a user to spotlight a region of particular interest in a large-scale display, such as a wall panel display. The spotlight can be a circular or other shape area around which the display is de-emphasized, such as by being darkened or blurred outside the circle. The spotlight can be moved by the user moving a cursor positioned in the circle. When the cursor encounters an edge of the circle the spotlight is moved in the direction of cursor movement. As the cursor is moved the outside region has less de-emphasis. When the movement is stopped the outside region is darkened to the maximum. A spotlight beam or other attention directing area of emphasis can be used to help focus a viewer's attention on the spotlight. The spotlight can follow objects in a scene as they move.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving and displaying data, such as economic data. The method can include receiving over a computer network a user request for a first item of economic data, retrieving the first item of economic data from a database, and providing a display description for view by the user over the computer network with the display description including the first item of economic data. The method can further include receiving a second item of economic data from the user over the computer network and at least reducing a fee from the user for receiving the first item of economic data. In another embodiment, the method can include displaying a plurality of discrete data items to the user and receiving a selection of one of the discrete data items from the user resulting from the user at least aligning a cursor on the graphical display with the selected discrete data item.

Abstract: A method and system provides the ability to identify phone numbers and alphanumeric sequences in a text source such as a web page and format them and/or convert them into usable information. According to one aspect, the invention automatically identifies and formats phone numbers in web pages so that they can be automatically dialed using VoIP or PSTN phone services. According to other aspects, the formatted phone number can be provided to any network voice applications, such as voice-over IP (VOIP) solutions, voice chat, voice IM, and wireless, WiFi, and WiMax connections. According to additional aspects, the invention can be integrated with internet browsing applications to allow automatic dialing of phone numbers over VOIP services or PSTN services. According to still other aspects, the invention allows technical support, electronic commerce, customer support numbers, phone numbers for product ordering, etc., on company web pages to be identified and dialed with a mouse click.

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: An electroencephalogram interface system includes: sections for measuring an electroencephalogram and an eye movement; an output section for presenting on a screen an option related to a device operation; a highlight determination section for, if a predetermined time has elapsed since a rotational angular velocity of the eye movement becomes equal to or less than a threshold value, identifying a region of the screen in which the user is fixing one's gaze based on the eye movement, and determining an option to be highlighted; an interface section for highlighting the determined option, and determining an operation of the device based on an event-related potential in the signal based on the timing of highlighting the option; and a timing adjustment section for adjusting a timing of beginning highlighting based on the eye movement after a process of displaying the option on the screen is begun and until the option is displayed on the screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for rendering application user interfaces. Application data is displayed in user interface elements including two or more independent elements and one or more dependent elements. One of the independent elements can have the property of being the selected element and the application data displayed in the dependent elements is made to correspond to the application data displayed in the selected element. User input is received from a user to establish a normal mode or a decoupled mode of user interface operation. Navigation input is received to navigate from one user interface element to another user interface element. In the normal mode, navigation to an independent element causes the independent element to become the selected element. In the decoupled mode, navigation to an independent element does not change which, if any, of the independent elements is the selected element.

Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive an indication of an association between an identifier and a geometry piece of a mechanical design. The association is stored in response to the received indication. The instructions further operate to determine if at least one of the identifier and the geometry piece is selected. Upon determining that at least one of the identifier and the geometry piece is selected, the instructions operate to automatically generate and display a leader between the geometry piece and the identifier to visually denote the association between the identifier and the geometry piece. As a result, an improved way of generating and maintaining associations between identifiers and geometry pieces of a mechanical design, including automatic modification of leader termination on the mechanical design, is facilitated.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided and includes a receiving section for receiving content data, a selection area movement instructing section for receiving an operation signal to instruct movement of a selection area and giving an instruction corresponding to the operation signal, a selection area displaying section for moving the selection area according to the instruction given by the selection area movement instructing means, a link display position information extracting section for extracting display position information of a link display from the content data, a link selection instructing section for receiving an operation signal to instruct a selection of a predetermined link and giving an instruction corresponding to the operation signal, a link selection controlling section for selecting the link instructed by the link selection instructing means, and a sending the link destination section for sending a request for replying content data.

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

Abstract: A 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: A method, system and medium suitable for rendering substantially instantaneously thumbnail data pre-cached in a volatile memory. The thumbnail data is rendered once an indicator or pointer is hovered over an icon that has associated thumbnail data stored in the volatile memory.

Abstract: An editor application highlights a user's original selection of text. The editor application additionally identifies whether the user's selection of text includes a portion of tagged content. If so, the editor application provides a visual indication of a remainder portion of the tagged content that is not included as part of the user's selection of text. That is, the editor application provides a first visual indication (e.g., a first color of highlighting) of the original text selected by the user and a second visual indication (e.g., a second color of highlighting) of a portion of the tagged content displayed outside of originally selected text. Consequently, the user can easily identify a first region of text originally selected by the user as well as a remainder portion of the tagged content in a second region exclusive with respect to the originally selected text.

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: A double-click is enabled in a mark-up language environment for certain objects by capturing a first series of select and unselect actions associated with a multi-click enabled object, displaying a copy image of the multi-click enable object, and then allowing a second series of select and unselect actions to be applied to the copy image. The copy image is then deleted and the original image is left on the display. This aspect of the invention allows objects, displayed in a mark-up language environment, such as scroll buttons, increment buttons, or the like, to by-pass the double-click filter applied within such an environment.

Abstract: A menu screen includes multiple buttons. Assigned to each button for each direction is another button to which an anchor is moved according to a directional user input of up, down, right or left. A button B and a button C both located downstream of a button A are candidates to which the anchor is moved when the down direction key is input with the anchor pointing to the button A. Scores of positional relationships of the position between points of the shortest distance from an anchor position of the button A within the range of the button B and the button C to the anchor position are calculated. According to the calculated scores, the next destination of the anchor when the down direction key is input with the anchor pointing to the button A is set to either button B or button C.

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: The present invention generates a color template design. According to one aspect, a source image is selected. Colors of a selected template design are adjusted automatically using color data collected from the selected source image. A histogram may be generated for the selected source image. The histogram may be analyzed to automatically adjust the colors of the selected template design.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing graphical user interfaces are described. To provide greater access and consolidation to frequently used items in the graphical user interface, a userbar is established which includes a plurality of item representations. To permit a greater number of items to reside in the userbar, a magnification function can be provided which magnifies items within the userbar when they are proximate the cursor associated with the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A content navigation method presents on a screen a number of small boxes, each of which may be a smaller version of another web page or of a portion of a long web page. When a user clicks on a small box, the web page or the portion of a web page corresponding to the small box may be dynamically uploaded and displayed. Accordingly, the user can easily jump to the content in which he/she is interested: another web page or a portion of a long web page.

Abstract: A program or system function on a computer system is automatically invoked by receiving a user-selected first insertion point or replacement area within a first user interface to a destination computer file. Subsequent to receiving the first insertion point within a destination file, a second user interface to content of a source computer file is provided upon user command. Then, responsive to a user highlighting text within the second user interface, the highlighted text is automatically copied from the application program to a clipboard buffer. Auto-trigger rules are searched for a rule which correlates to said highlighted text copied to the clipboard and, upon finding a correlating rule, one or more programs or system functions are invoked according to the found rule without need to modify or change said application program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing visual feedback to a computer user while dragging selected text is described. As its first step, the processing logic creates a text object from the selected text once the computer user has initiated a drag. Simultaneously, the selected text is visually de-emphasized. Secondly, the processing logic snaps the text object to the cursor so that the text object follows the cursor without obscuring text at the insertion point. Finally, when the computer user selects the final insertion point, the selected text is visually zoomed from the source location to the final insertion point.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of selecting and identifying on-screen text on a mobile device, comprising: a) providing an on-screen selection icon for activation of text selection mode; b) activating a text selection pointer upon activation of the selection icon; c) applying a text-selection algorithm in a region identified by user location of the text selection pointer; d) identifying text with the region using a character recognition algorithm; and, e) passing the identified text for further analysis as determined by user selection.

Abstract: The system includes an image display system, a direct annotation creation module, an annotation display module, a vocabulary comparison module and a dynamic updating module. These modules are coupled together by a bus and provide for the direct multi-modal annotation of media of media objects. The direct annotation creation module creates annotation objects. The annotation display module works in cooperation with the image display system to display the annotations themselves or graphic representations of the annotation positioned relative to the images of the objects. The system automatically creates the annotation, associates it with the selected images, and displays either a graphic representation of the annotation or a text translation of the audio input.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for specifying a criteria for searching an information hierarchy and displaying search results in a tree-based view that indicates the location of matching elements within the information hierarchy. The location of matching elements within the information hierarchy is emphasized using techniques that include highlighting instances of matching elements within a treeview display, graphically connecting a plurality of matching elements within a treeview display, and displaying a first matching element while presenting a graphical link to the next matching element within the treeview display. Search criteria can be specified using a pop-up search-test input window, or by simply right/left/double clicking upon an element within the information hierarchy.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for hover help management in data processing systems and, more particularly, for providing dynamic and intelligent hover assistance in graphical user interfaces. One embodiment provides a method of displaying hover assistance on a display screen. The method comprises moving a pointer element to a position over a user interface element shown on the display screen in response to user manipulation of a pointing device, while the pointer element is positioned over the user interface element, invoking a first hover element for display on the display screen, and invoking a second hover element for display on the display screen after invoking the first hover element, and while the pointer element continues to be positioned over the user interface element.

Abstract: A note-taking application is provided which includes a free-form selection tool. In certain embodiments, a particular selection may be based in part on the speed or velocity of a user selection. The free-form selection tool is configured to provide more or less precise selections based in part on the speed of a selection. The free-form selection tool is further operable to recognize when a user is attempting to retry a selection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing graphical user interfaces are described. To provide greater access and consolidation to frequently used items in the graphical user interface, a userbar is established which includes a plurality of item representations. To permit a greater number of items to reside in the userbar, a magnification function can be provided which magnifies items within the userbar when they are proximate the cursor associated with the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An avionics system having a pilot user interface, and method of interfacing with a pilot, includes providing a display screen and a video processor driving the display screen. A plurality of context dependent input devices is provided. Operation of at least one of the input devices may cause the processor to display a rotary selection list on the display screen. The rotary selection list includes multiple potential selections, each capable of effecting a change in the avionic system when highlighted. At least one of the input devices may be made up of at least one rotary knob. The processor displays a context dependent label for the rotary knob.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a presumptive drafting solution. Input from a cursor control device is received, wherein the input reflects a movement in a computer drawing program of a cursor over a drawing having one or more geometric entities (having one or more geometric attributes). In one or more embodiments, a relevant geometric entity is identified based on how the cursor is moved over the drawing. A presumptive drafting solution is then provided based on the identified relevant geometric entity. In addition, prior drawing solutions (having one or more solution attributes) are obtained and compared to the one or more geometric attributes. A drawing solution having one or more solution attributes similar to the one or more geometric attributes may be provided to the user.

Abstract: A method designed to include a number of features which facilitate fast and accurate reading of text documents. The design of these features is based on research in the fields of visual perception, ergonomics, and usability. The method applies this research to create software which provides various assisted-reading modes.

Abstract: A method, program and system for displaying the consequence of an input in a graphical user interface (GUI) are provided. The invention comprises displaying a GUI including a plurality of interaction control mechanisms (controls) having a selected or a deselected state. An input to a first control may cause a change in state to at least one other of the plurality of controls. Responsive to a first input at the first control (e.g., holding down a mouse button with the pointer on the first control), the invention displays a preview of the change in state of the plurality of controls that would occur if a second input is made at the first control (e.g., releasing the mouse button with the pointer still on the first control). If the user does not want the previewed change in state to occur, the user has simply to avoid making the second input (e.g., move the pointer off the first control before releasing the mouse button).

Abstract: Notifications to computer users are provided via indicators such as lights. The indicators are controlled according to rules, to convey computer-related state information to users in a consistent manner. Locations of visible indicators are chosen to facilitate easy viewing. The rules dictate colors and/or illumination pattern components that together provide users with important computer-related information. For example, colors are assigned to types of information, and illumination patterns generally to behavior-related information. Colors may be combined in various illumination patterns. In one implementation, many or all of the visible indicators may be grouped together on a single control panel from rapid viewing. Alternatively, the visible indicators may be grouped by function or other logical arrangement, such as on the keyboard and/or frame of a monitor. Alternative light sources that illuminate the system (e.g.

Abstract: Different levels or categories of text or images or both can be selected on a display device with simple commands. A selection region including one of selected text and selected images can be increased or decreased depending upon an executed command. A first command can increase a selection region while a second and different second command can decrease a selection region. Once a maximum amount is selected by using the first command and if the first command is selected again, the selection region can return to the minimum amount of text and images that can be selected. And vice-versa.

Abstract: A thumbnail of an original document has at least one appearance characteristic that is different from a corresponding appearance characteristic in an original document. When retrieving a document associated with the thumbnail, a document version is displayed that is more similar in appearance to the thumbnail than the original document. If desired, one or more further versions of the document, closer to or identical to the first version, may be subsequently displayed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for vertical navigation of displayed content. A physical wheel on a device is provided for navigating through content displayed on a display associated with the device. The physical wheel is moved in a direction and a distance about its rotational axis to indicate a scrolling direction and corresponding scrolling amount. The physical wheel is indexed in accordance with a display unit size associated with the content displayed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a decentralized, fraud-resistant flagging system for information content, such as World Wide Web or Internet content. The system includes an information content display module for displaying the information content and an associated plurality of flagging levels to users. The plurality of flagging levels are configured for flagging the information content by the users. The system includes a flagging generation module, in communication with the information content display module, for receiving flags assigned by the users to the information content in accordance with the plurality of flagging levels, for assigning a weight to each user flagging in accordance with an accuracy of the user flagging, and for prioritizing flagged information content for review in accordance with a volume of flags assigned to the information content and the flagging weight of each user flagging.

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 user interface, system, method and software for displaying a simulated three-dimensional display of menu options to a user, thereby maximizing use of a display's real estate by presenting all available options at once while at the same time presenting certain options in a more pronounced manner. The system monitors for running applications, polls the running applications for any available options, and displays the options in the simulated three-dimensional format. With this type of dynamic menu, standard means for bringing focus to a selectable target create complexities, and are thus avoided by designing the system's cursor to duplicate the appearance of the selected target's shape, preferably in a smaller size.

Abstract: The control circuit 11 causes display of messages received through the communication unit 1 in the display unit 14 in list form. A cursor for making selections from the messages displayed in list form has different patterns. The control circuit 11 associates the cursor patterns with message types. In another embodiment, the control circuit 11 groups received messages into new messages not yet reproduced by a user and old messages already reproduced, causes display of the number of the new messages in a predetermined area of the display unit when the new messages are stored in RAM 13, and display of the number of the old messages in said predetermined area when the new messages are not stored in RAM 13.

Abstract: A system and a method are described for providing a graphical user interface display with a conspicuous image element. In one example, a particular image element is first identified. Predetermined rules are then applied to ensure that the particular image element in a first window in a displayable image has a unique user visible display attribute absent from other image elements in the first window. Predetermined rules are also applied to ensure that the unique display attribute is absent from other image elements in any other window concurrently displayed in the displayed image. The particular image element is then enabled to be responsive to user selection.

Abstract: A graphical input and display system having a user interface for selecting object(s) to be operated on by the system includes input devices permitting a user to select and establish image object(s) received from various image input sources. A processor, connected to the system, receives requests for various image element selection operations and also accesses a memory structure. The system memory structure includes a user interaction module, which allows a user to select image elements without pre-selecting an element selection mode, as well as data memory.

Abstract: A method for displaying an internet web page with an area of focus to reduce viewer distraction. The selected area of focus is displayed with the normal text, graphic and background color attributes as created by the web page designer. The area of focus may be, for example, a single sentence or a paragraph and may include one or more frames from the web page. Shading is applied to other portions of the displayed web page which become a less pronounced area out of focus. The area of focus may be moved with a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The degree of shading may be set by the computer user. The computer displaying the web page may be programmed to read the text in the area of focus with synthesized speech and to move the area of focus as the text is read.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which meaningful or semantic portions of displayed visual information, are modified in order to improve their visual perception by a user. In some embodiments, the meaningful portion is limited to a word, a plurality of words, a phrase, a sentence, or a paragraph of text of the information. In some embodiments, the meaningful portion is predefined. In some embodiments, the meaningful portion is dynamically modified based on context of the text, and/or prior use. In some embodiments, the modification includes modifying an attribute of the text, such as size, color, and/or font.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring accuracies of fixed-point computations are described herein. In one embodiment, the exemplary process includes identifying an operation involving a plurality of input values, invoking an object associated with the identified operation, performing the operation via the invoked object, and automatically generating, as a part of the operation via the object, accuracy information associated with the operation for each of the plurality of input values. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.