Abstract: An apparatus and method enables a user to control the selection of electronic multimedia services to be provided to the user by one or more servers over a communication medium. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading marks on an object and for communicating a request signal, having an object code representing the read marks, to a user interface. The interface receives the request signal and transmits to the servers a request command including an interface identification code and the object code which is used to select the desired electronic multimedia service. The servers identify the selected electronic multimedia service using the object code. The interface then enables the selected electronic multimedia service transmitted from the servers to be received by the user's receiver.

Abstract: Simplistically stated, usability engineering aims at improving interactive systems and their user interfaces. Defined slightly more precisely [8], usability is a general concept that cannot be measured but is related to several usability parameters that can be measured. Measurable usability parameters fall into two broad categories: subjective user preference measures, assessing how much the users like the system, and objective performance measures, which measure how capable the users are at using the system

Abstract: An intuitive graphical user interface is based upon a geographic map structure, and includes a system for controlling remote external electronic devices. In the defined graphical user interface, each Space of the geographic map structure is rendered on a touch screen display as a graphic image of a geographic space. Within each Space are colored cartoon-like icons called "objects" which can be Selected and manipulated by the user. Certain objects, referred to as portals, transport the user from one Space to another Space when Selected. Other objects, referred to as buttons, perform associated actions or functions when Selected. The graphical user interface is displayed on a hand-held display device used to control remote devices. Each remote electronic device transmits a user interface program object that defines a graphical user interface to the display device. The hand-held display devices displays the graphical user interface associated with the remote device when a user selects an icon associated with the remote device on the display device's touch screen display.

Abstract: A computer research tool for indexing, searching and displaying data is disclosed. Specifically, a computer research tool for performing computerized research of data including textual objects in a database or a network and for providing a user interface that significantly enhances data presentation is described. Textual objects and other data in a database or network is indexed by creating a numerical representation of the data. The indexing technique called proximity indexing generates a quick-reference of the relations, patterns and similarity found among the data in the database. Proximity indexing indexes the data by using statistical techniques and empirically developed algorithms. Using this proximity index, an efficient search for pools of data having a particular relation, pattern or characteristic can be effectuated. The Computer Search program, called the Computer Search Program for Data represented in Matrices (CSPDM), provides efficient computer search methods. The CSPDM rank orders data in accordance with the data's relationship to time, a paradigm datum, or any similar reference. An alternative embodiment of the invention employs a cluster link generation algorithm which uses links and nodes to index and search a database or network. The algorithm searches for direct and indirect links to a search node and retrieves the nodes which are most closely related to the search node. The user interface program, called the Graphical User Interface (GUI), provides a user friendly method of interacting with the CSPDM program and prepares and presents a visual graphical display. The graphical display provides the user with a two or three dimensional spatial orientation of the data.

Abstract: User modeling has made considerable progress during its existence now of more than a decade. Particularly in the last few years, the need has been recognized in many application areas for software systems to automatically adapt to their current users. As a result, research on user modeling has extended into many disciplines which are concerned with the development of interactive computer systems that are used by heterogeneous user populations. These fields include Intelligent Interfaces, Active and Passive Help Systems, Guidance Systems, Hypertext Systems, Intelligent Information Retrieval, Natural-Language Systems, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, and Cooperative Expert Systems. Applications in office machines, consumer electronics and automobiles are also being envisioned. Several recent empirical evaluations provide support for the usefulness of user-adaptation in the investigated application domains.

Abstract: A home automation system comprises a number of sub-systems for controlling various aspects of a house, such as a security sub-system, an HVAC sub-system, a lighting control sub-system, and an entertainment sub-system. The network comprises a host computer connected through a host interface to a plurality of nodes. The network is in a free form topology and employ asynchronous communication. The host computer polls each node on the network to determine system configuration and to perform a diagnostic check on the system. The messages that are transmitted between the nodes are comprised of a source address, a destination address that uniquely identifies the location of each piece of hardware on the system, a message type field, and a data length segment. Each hardware device has a mirror image software object in the host computer to which messages are directed. The user interfaces for the various sub-systems share a common interfacing method whereby use of the system is greatly simplified.

Abstract: An information delivery system including a head end broadcasting a data stream of media objects, the head end being coupled to a broadcast television interface and at least one information service provider and including an encoder for encoding information in the media object is disclosed. The system may deliver and implement a programming guide delineating programming information available on the information delivery system in one or more media objects in the data stream in an encoded fashion by the encoder. A user terminal is coupled to the head-end and receives the media objects. The user terminal has an output and includes a decoder for the media objects. Also provided in one aspect is a user interface, at least partially stored in the user-terminal, which selects a user-defined subset of media objects for provision to the output of the user terminal. Further, an information navigation system for an information delivery system is provided. The navigation system functions with the electronic program guide and includes a user interface having a plurality of icon representations of various functions of the system, and including a broadcast television interface. The navigation system also includes a smart service navigator which interacts with the user interface and the electronic program guide to provide an output to the user.

Abstract: Magic Lens filters are a new user interface tool that combine an arbitrarily-shaped region with an operator that changes the view of objects viewed through that region. These tools can be interactively positioned over on-screen applications much as a magnifying glass is moved over a newspaper. They can be used to help the user understand various types of information, from text documents to scientific visualizations. Because these filters are movable and apply to only part of the screen, they have a number of advantages over traditional windowwide viewing modes: they employ an attractive metaphor based on physical lenses, show a modified view in the context of the original view, limit clutter to a small region, allow easy construction of visual macros and provide a uniform paradigm that can be extended across different types of information and applications. This paper describes these advantages in more detail and illustrates them with examples of magic lens filters in use over a variety of applications. CR

Abstract: The Responsive Workbench concept was developed as an alternative to the multimedia and virtual reality systems of the past decade. It was recognized that almost nobody wants simulations of their working worlds in a desktop environment. Generally. users want to focus on their tasks rather than on operating the computer. The Responsive Workbench is a virtual working environment that locates virtual objects and control tools on a real "workbench". The objects-computer-generated stereo images-are projected onto the surface of a workbench. This setting corresponds to the actual work situation in an architect's office, in surgery, and so forth. A human guide uses the virtual working environment while several collaborators watch events through stereo shutter glasses. The participants operate within a nonimmersive virtual environment. Depending on the application, the virtual workbench can integrate various input and output modules, such as motion, gesture, and voice recognition systems. This characterizes the general trend away from the classical human-machine interface. Several guides can work together in similar environments either locally or by using broadband communication networks. A responsive environment, consisting of powerful graphics workstations, tracking systems, cameras, projectors, and microphones, replaces the traditional multimedia desktop workstation. >

Abstract: A video game user interface device that allows the user to play standard video games using realistic arm, leg and body movements which relate to the various activities portrayed in the video game being played. The device is sensitive to acceleration and outputs a signal to the video game controller when an acceleration is detected.

Abstract: Foreword Preface 1.Introduction Branch-overlapping Aspects of Multimedia. Content. Global Structure. Multimedia Literature. 2. Multimedia: Media and Data Streams. Medium. Main Properties of a Multimedia System. Multimedia. Traditional Data Stream Characteristics. Data Streams Characteristics for Continuous Media. Information Units. 3. Sound/Audio. Basic Sound Concepts. Music. Speech. 4. Image and Graphics. Basic Concepts. Computer Image Processing. Comments. 5. Video and Animation. Basic Concepts. Television. Computer-based Animation. 6. Data Compression. Storage Space. Coding Requirements. Source, Entropy, and Hybrid Coding. Some Basic Compression Techniques. JPEG. H.261 (px64). MPEG. DVI. Comments. 7. Optical Storage. History. Basic Technology. Video Disks and Other WORMs. Compact Disk Digital Audio. Compact Disk Read Only Memory. CD-ROM Extended Architecture. Further CD-ROM-based Developments. Compact Disc Write Once. Compact Disk Magneto Optical. The Prospects of CD Technologies. 8. Computer Technology. Communication Architecture. Multimedia Workstations. Comments. 9. Multimedia Operating Systems. Introduction. Real-Time. Resource Management. Process Management. File Systems. Additional Operating System Issues. System Architecture. Concluding Remarks. 10. Networking Systems. Layers, Protocols, and Services. Networks. Local Area Networks (LANs). Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Wide Area Networks (WANs). Comments. 11. Multimedia Communication Systems. Application Subsystem. Transport Subsystem. Quality of Service and Resource Management. Comments. 12. Data Base Systems. Multimedia Database Management System. Characteristics of an MDBMS. Data Analysis. Data Structure. Operations on Data. Integration in a Database Model. Comments. 13. Documents, Hypertext and Hypermedia. Documents. Hypertext and Hypermedia. Document Architecture SGML. Document Architecture ODA. MHEG. 14. User Interface. General Design Issues. Current Work. Extension through Video and Audio. Video at the User Interface. Audio at the User Interface. User- friendliness as the Primary Goal. Comments. 15. Synchronization. Introduction. Notion of Synchronization. Presentation Requirements. A Reference Model for Multimedia Synchronization. Synchronization. Case Studies. Comments. Summary and Outlook. 16. Abstractions for Programming. Abstraction Levels. Libraries. System Software. Toolkits. Higher Programming Languages. Object-oriented Approaches. Comments. 17. Multimedia Applications. Introduction. Media Preparation. Media Composition. Media Integration. Media Communication. Media Consumption. Media Entertainment. Trends. 18. Future Directions. Where Are We Today? What Are the Next Steps? What Are the Multimedia Research Issues? Abbreviations. Bibliography. Index.

Abstract: A computerized order entry system for the placement of an order by a user via a terminal having a display is disclosed. The system includes a data capture mechanism for capturing order information and a storage device for storing the order information captured through the data capture mechanism. The system also provides a user interface for providing the user with access to a plurality of buttons representing a plurality of corresponding order entry functions. Each button is associated with an order entry function window having at least one data capture field into which order information related to the corresponding function may be captured. The user interface includes a mechanism for automatically routing the user to a particular order entry function window upon selection of the associated button. With such a configuration, placement of the order is substantially user-driven.

Abstract: An system and method for providing a tactile virtual reality to a user is present. The position and orientation of the user is utilized to generate a virtual reality force field. Forces are in turn generated on the user as a function of this force field. A six-axis manipulator is presented for providing a user interface to such a system. This manipulator provides a unique kinematic structure with two constant force springs which provide gravity compensation so that the manipulator effectively floats.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating access to heterogeneous computing services is provided. In a preferred embodiment, logon providers are configured into the computer system, which provide secure access to their services by requiring authentication of user identification information using a logon mechanism. According to this embodiment, a user designates a primary logon provider to provide an initial logon user interface. The user enters identification information when this user interface is displayed, for example a user name, a password and a domain. The computer system executes a logon sequence, which first invokes the primary logon provider to collect identification information and to authenticate the user for access to services provided by the primary logon provider. The system then authenticates the collected identification information to provide the user access to operating system computer services. If the system logon authentication procedure is not successful, then the logon sequence displays its own user interface to collect additional identification information. The logon sequence then invokes the logon routines of other logon providers to enable them to authenticate already collected identification information without displaying additional user interfaces. A preferred embodiment enables the system logon sequence to use authentication information stored on a network to authenticate the user for access to local computing services. Also, logon providers can be provided for drivers other than network drivers when a logon mechanism is required to access their computing services. Further, using a primary logon provider, the initial logon user interface displayed to collect identification information can be replaced.

Abstract: Many user interface toolkits use constraint solvers to maintain geometric relationships between graphic objects, or to connect the graphics to the application data structures. One efficient and flexible technique for maintaining constraints is multi-way local propagation, where constraints are represented by sets of method procedures. This dissertation examines the use of local propagation constraint solvers in user interface toolkits, and presents three new systems: (1) The SkyBlue constraint solver. SkyBlue is an incremental constraint solver that uses local propagation to maintain a set of constraints as individual constraints are added and removed. If all of the constraints cannot be satisfied, SkyBlue leaves weaker constraints unsatisfied in order to satisfy stronger constraints (maintaining a constraint hierarchy). SkyBlue is a more general successor to the DeltaBlue algorithm that satisfies cycles of methods by calling external cycle solvers and supports multi-output methods. These features make SkyBlue more useful for constructing user interfaces, since cycles of constraints can occur frequently in user interface applications and multi-output methods are necessary to represent some useful constraints. (2) The Multi-Garnet user interface development system. Garnet is a user interface toolkit that incorporates a constraint solver to maintain one-way constraints between object fields: any object field can have an associated formula to calculate its value from other object fields. The Multi-Garnet package extends Garnet to support multi-way constraints and constraint hierarchies. It integrates the SkyBlue solver into the Garnet object system, allowing programmers to create and use constraints without explicitly accessing the constraint solver. Multi-Garnet has been used to construct complex user interfaces that would have been difficult to construct just using Garnet's constraint solver. (3) The CNV user interface builder and debugger. Programmers need tools to examine the behavior of large constraint networks, just as they need such tools when debugging imperative programs. The CNV user interface builder includes a set of debugging tools to help programmers understand the behavior of complex constraint networks. One tool uses a new algorithm to generate alternate constraint solutions that would have been produced if SkyBlue had chosen different methods to satisfy the constraints.

Abstract: A computer implemented information catalog database system is disclosed for cataloging information stored in one or more data storage resources under the control of one or more data processing nodes. The catalog system includes a cataloging service facility for performing one or more information cataloging functions to organize and present a graphical view of the information stored in the data storage resource. The information cataloging functions are categorized into a plurality of defined function categories. An object generation facility generates one or more meta-data objects corresponding to units of information stored in the data storage resource. The meta-data objects contain attributes defining characteristics of the information units to which they correspond and the meta-data objects are assigned to one or more of the function categories to define the information cataloging functions which may be performed on the meta-data objects. A user interface is provided for executing the information cataloging functions on the meta-data objects in response to user input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the display of multiple windows in a computer user interface in an efficient manner. Two separate window areas are allocated in a display area. A first area is an overlapped window area where windows may overlap each other. A second area is a tiled window area where windows may not overlap each other. User interface controls are provided to allow the user to designate a displayed window as tiled or overlapped and the designated window is moved from area to area, accordingly. Windows in either area may be resized and repositioned, although with some restrictions in the tiled area. The computer system automatically adjusts window and area sizes within predefined limits.

Abstract: A user interface technique operates in the environment of a processor-controlled machine for executing a program that operates on a set of underlying data and displays a visible representation thereof. The user simultaneously and independently moves the tools with one hand, normally the non-dominant hand (e.g., a right-handed user's left hand) and operates on the visible representation with the other, normally the dominant hand. In a specific implementation, the input devices include a trackball for positioning the tools and a mouse for positioning a cursor and initiating actions.

Abstract: A technique for analyzing and interpreting user inputs to a computer, such as strokes, key depressions, or voice signals to a hand-held, pen-based computer system. Inputs to the system are received at a user interface, such as a dual function display/input screen from users in the form of pen strokes or gestures. A database stores the input data strokes and hypotheses regarding possible interpretations of the strokes. Recognition of the input strokes and recognition of higher level combinations of strokes (forming characters and words, etc.) is performed using recognizers, or recognition domains, each of which performs a particular recognition task. A controller is provided for controlling the hypotheses database and for scheduling the recognition tasks in the recognition domains. Arbitration resolves conflicts among competing hypotheses associated with each interpretation. The recognition domains, or recognizers generate two or more competing interpretations for the same input. The recognizers use a data structure called a unit, where a unit is a set of subhypotheses together with all their interpretations generated by a single recognizer. A recognizer operates at a first level for identifying one or more groups of related subhypotheses using grouping knowledge. These grouped subhypotheses generate a unit with no interpretations for each group and store the unit in the database in what is called a piece-pool memory. A recognizer has a second level of operation where each unit generated in the grouping stage is classified to provide the unit with one or more interpretations. The classified unit are stored in a unit pool memory. Two or more interpretations of the input data are combined in a hierarchical structure according to a predetermined scheme in successive steps to form higher level interpretations.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for displaying and processing communications via a variety of communications media using a personal computer. Messages received either wirelessly, for example, wireless e-mail, or over telephone wireline, such as voice mail or facsimile, are segregated and presented for review by the subscriber according to whether the originator is within a select group of routinely contacted individuals and also by type of media. The system includes a graphical user interface to provide an intuitive and efficient message processing capability. In alternative embodiments the apparatus and methods are self-documenting and facilitate communication to the system manufacturer.

Abstract: Passivity of systems comprising a continuous time plant and discrete time controller is considered. This topic is motivated by stability considerations arising in the control of robots and force-reflecting human interfaces ("haptic interfaces"). A necessary and sufficient condition for the passivity of a class of sampled-data systems is derived. An example-implementation of a "virtual wall" via a one degree-of-freedom haptic interface-is presented.

Abstract: A user interface technique operates in the environment of a processor-controlled machine for executing a program that operates on a set of underlying data and displays a visible representation thereof. The system further provides a visual depiction of a set of tools. The tools include click-through tools that can be combined with other tools (including other click-through tools) to provide composite tools. A click-through tool includes a generally transparent delineated active area that is movable so that it can be placed over a desired portion of the visible representation. When the user interacts with the visible representation through the active area, the action takes on an attribute of the particular click-through tool. A click-through tool can be superimposed on another click-through tool, whereupon an action taken through the two click-through tools onto the visible representation takes on attributes of both tools.

Abstract: LyberWorld is a prototype IR user interface. It implements visualizations of an abstract information space — fulltext. The paper derives a model for such visualizations and an exemplar user interface design is implemented for the probabilistic fulltext retrieval system INQUERY. Visualizations are used to communicate information search and browsing activities in a natural way by applying metaphors of spatial navigation in abstract information spaces. Visualization tools for exploring information spaces and judging relevance of information items are introduced and an example session demonstrates the prototype. The presence of a spatial model in the user’s mind and interaction with a system’s corresponding display methods is regarded as an essential contribution towards natural interaction and reduction of cognitive costs during e.g. query construction, orientation within the database content, relevance judgement and orientation within the retrieval context.

Abstract: A user interface provides for accessing a large database of information using both browsing and searching behaviors. The database is hierarchically arranged using matrices containing cells, individual cells in the matrices associated with matrices in lower levels of the database. A viewer may browse the database by using commands that designate cells of interest, and viewing previews of such cells, and topically related cells, and selecting cells for retrieval. The viewer can navigate through the matrices of the database, each time further narrowing the range of cells viewing previews and selecting for retrieval. The user interface further provides for a user-configured matrix in which the user can place a variety of cells from anywhere in the database, allowing rapid access to and retrieval of frequently accessed cells.

Abstract: The PC based ultrasound system (100) utilizes a standard PC central processing unit (1112), a memory storage (1118) and retrieval components, a scan conversion board (1116) and a video processing board (1114), all electrically linked to the bus (1102) in the computer. The analog drive and return scan video signals are sent to and received from a video processing and motor control unit (1120) which are coupled to an ultrasound scan lead (1122). The virtual control user interface for the ultrasound system includes a software driven display obtained from memory. The software driven display reveals images representative of hardware control configurations for many different ultrasound processors. The virtual control user interface is used in conjunction with a touch sensitive user input screen and the virtual control user interface includes a touch screen input command converter for converting the tactile input into software commands. Other features include the ability to recall previously scanned ultrasound images, and display a checklist for medical protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for extracting, synchronizing, displaying, and manipulating text and image documents in electronic form for display. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, text and image files for documents, such as for example patent documents, are initially stored on separate magnetic tape media. These data files are extracted from the respective tapes and placed onto a faster medium, such as a hard disk drive. The text and image files are synchronized to produce Equivalent Files using heuristic algorithms to create an approximate equivalence relationship between the text and the image files. The Equivalent Files and image files residing on, for example, a hard disk drive or compact disk (CD), are coupled as a resource to a computer display system. The graphic user interface of the present invention permits the user to display, manipulate, and edit the Equivalent File created using the process of the present invention, and to simultaneously view the image file on the display. Using the graphic user interface of the present invention, a user may create libraries of patent Equivalent Files and image files or documents of another type, as well as open cases to include a plurality of different patents or other documents. The Equivalent File may be selectively viewed on the display in an equivalent window. Simultaneous with the viewing of the Equivalent File within the equivalent window, the user may view any portion of an image file within one or more image windows on the display. A variety of other features and functions are provided by the present invention for the manipulation and display of patent documents and other documents on the user interface.

Abstract: A multi-modal user interface taking advantage of kinesthesia force display, soundj and graphics, to improve human-computer interaction is described. This design primarily addresses the needs of visually impaired persons working in an office situation, but is presently applied to numerous other instances of human-machine interaction; such as operator workstations in control rooms or cockpits. The main technological item introduced here is the haptic interface itself (nicknamed the “Pantograph”) which measures position and velocity of a manipulated knob and displays forces in two dimensions over a wide frequency range. Programmed mechanical models are used to kinesthetically describe the features of the interface. These models are analogous to iconic representations in conventional graphic interfaces. Users, acting and perceiving through the haptic channel, simultaneously perceive simulated objects through the visual and auditory channels. Further developments are briefly reported.

Abstract: A networked data-handling system including a plurality of processor-database units is disclosed in this invention. Each processor-database unit includes a many structured data objects. Each structured data object contains retrievable user requested data stored in the data base of that unit. The networked system includes an user interface for allowing an user to enter and modify a plurality of query requests and link instructions. The networked system further includes a link generator for receiving and executing the query requests and the link instructions for generating links between the structured data object distributed among the networked processor-database units for retrieving the retrievable user requested data from the linked structured data object The link generator further includes a user profile generator for accumulating and employing the query requests and link instructions for generating a user profile filtering file. The link generator further includes an experience-based link creating unit for applying the accumulated query requests and link instructions and the user profile filtering file for generating a recommended links.

Abstract: A radio receiver receives FM subcarrier transmissions, and stores the transmitted textual information in a random access memory. The information is typically news, weather, sports, entertainment or other information of interest. A user interface allows selection from the memory of the stored information via a set of menus controlling a hierarchical database, so as to access particular items of information. A speech synthesizer accepts the accessed textual information items and transforms them into spoken speech. The user interface is either by voice or a single or multi-position switch allowing scanning through and selection from the menu items.