摘要:
A hand held pointing device for use with a computer system having a graphic interface. The pointing device includes a body, and a communications device within the body for communicating movement signals to the computer system. The pointing device further includes a movement detection device within the body, coupled to the communications device, for detecting movement of the body by a computer user. The pointing device additionally includes a pliant outer shell having at least a portion of the body which dynamically conforms to a computer user's hand when the pointing device is held and manipulated by a computer user, such that the portion of the body which conforms to the computer user's hand provides comfort and efficient ergonomic cushioning to the computer user during computer system pointing device activities. The pointing device further includes at least one user input device for transferring data to the computer system via the pointing device. In addition, the pointing device includes an interior shell which prevents the portion of the body from contacting interior electronics located within the pointing device. The pliant outer shell may also be surrounded by a membrane for preventing the rupture of the portion of the body. The pliant outer shell portion of the body may be composed of a gel based on an elastomer compound. Liquid-crystal material, controlled by a host computer, can also be located on the exterior of the pointing device to provide visual feedback to the computer user.
摘要:
A method and system in a graphical user interface in a data processing system for associating and displaying a plurality of objects are described. A creation of a visually perceptible enclosure having a translucent surface is specified. A plurality of objects within the graphical user interface are specified. Each of the objects are associated with the visually perceptible enclosure. The enclosure is then created. The enclosure and each of its associated plurality of objects are displayed within the graphical user interface. Each of the objects are displayed within the enclosure so that they are partially visible through the translucent surface. The objects are inaccessible while they are displayed within the enclosure. Once the enclosure is removed, the objects are accessible. A code field may be associated with the enclosure. An entry of a valid code is required in order to remove the enclosure and permit access of each enclosed objects. If an invalid code is entered, the enclosure will continue to be displayed, and access of the enclosed objects will be prohibited.
摘要:
A web browser program presents historical information about hyperlinks shown on web pages. Initially, the computer determines whether it is receiving certain user input, such as placement of a cursor over a hyperlink for a certain time. When this occurs, the computer accesses a database to determine whether one or more users in a predefined access group have previously selected the hyperlink for the purpose of downloading underlying data represented by the hyperlink. Some examples of the underlying data include web pages, graphics images, software programs, and the like. If the hyperlink has not been previously selected, no action needs to be taken. However, if the database shows that the hyperlink has been previously selected, the computer consults the database to gather characteristics of the underlying data obtained from previous selections of the hyperlink by access group members. Such characteristics may include, for example, the data's size, date of last download, expired or “under construction” status of web site, errors occurring during the download, etc. The computer presents a report containing the characteristics gathered from the database.
摘要:
A method, a front-of-screen graphical display system, and a computer program product for controlling the speed sensitivity of a GUI cursor. GUI objects, such as icons, occupy predetermined areas of the display. First and second preselected velocity settings are provided for the cursor. A determination is made whether the cursor is located within one of the object areas of the display. If, 1) the cursor is located outside one of the object areas, the speed sensitivity for movement of the cursor by the mouse is directly related to the first preselected velocity setting. If, 2) the cursor is located within one of the object areas, the speed sensitivity for movement of the cursor is directly related to the second preselected velocity setting. The second setting is the same as or slower than the first. Thus, outside the bounds of the object area, such as between objects, movement of the mouse moves the cursor at a first velocity, and, within the bounds of the object area, the same movement of the mouse moves the cursor at a second, slower velocity.
摘要:
A web browser displays historical information about hyperlinks shown on web pages. Initially, a computer receives user instructions to download an internet web page, and begins the download. The computer identifies any hyperlinks present in the web page, and for each hyperlink, analyzes the hyperlink with respect to any of the user's past visits to the hyperlinked address. Analysis is performed with the following steps. First, the computer determines whether the user has previously selected that hyperlink, such by “mouse clicking” on the hyperlink. If so, the computer consults a database to identify characteristics of the underlying data obtained from past visits (or attempts) to the hyperlinked address. These characteristics are input into a presentation table to derive various enhanced presentation attributes for the hyperlink. The presentation table maps between each possible data characteristic and a corresponding enhanced presentation attribute. Presentation attributes may relate to text, graphics images, videos, sound, tactile sensations, etc. Ultimately, the computer displays the downloaded web page, each hyperlink with its enhanced presentation attributes.
摘要:
A method and system for variable speed scrolling through a viewable object within a data processing system such as a computer, a television, a kiosk display or hand-held digital product. A portion of the viewable object is displayed within a display window within a data processing system in conjunction with a scroll bar having a slider and one or more scroll buttons associated therewith or some other suitable method of controlling video or audio displays. User selection of the slider or a scroll button initiates scrolling of the viewable object so that additional portions of the viewable object may be displayed. As the viewable object is scrolled, the scroll speed is dynamically varied in response to the content of the viewed portion of the viewable object. For example, the scroll speed can vary in response to the type of objects displayed within the viewable object, the number and location of hotlinks or hyperlinks within the viewable object and/or the amount and number of previous viewings of the various portions of the viewable object by the user.
摘要:
This invention permits users to conveniently examine functions, applications, data, and other parameters for different periods of time. A region of the graphical user interface is provided to which other icons may be dragged so that the function represented by the dragged icon returns to a prior state or is extrapolated to a future state. By storing the previous m versions of a file, application, database, etc., where m is user selectable, the user can review prior versions of that file, application, or database without explicitly having to track those versions. The graphical nature of the present invention provides a significantly more intuitive way to manipulate the time.
摘要:
Using a graphical user interface (GUI), users manipulate, organize, classify, and/or arrange icons by having the icons bind (stick) to one another and be moved as aggregates. Icons sticky sites may be on icons, windows, or other graphical objects. For example, when an icon with a sticky site is dragged close to another icon with a sticky site, the icons bind together and are subsequently moved as one graphical unit. In some embodiments, a visual indication or binding is given. The icons may be unbound by pointing to an unbinder icon, or using a button sequence on the mouse of keyboard.
摘要:
A data processing system and method for customizing a user output of a data processing system are disclosed. According to the method, a user preference for an audio or visual user output of a data processing system is determined. In response to determination of a user output having a first audio or visual frequency, the user output is mapped to a second audio or visual frequency in accordance with the user preference to obtain a customized user output. Thereafter, the customized user output is presented by the data processing system. In accordance with one embodiment, the user preference is determined by administering a test of the user's visual or aural acuity.
摘要:
A method, system and computer program product for generating an alternative form of transmitted environmental data, e.g., scent information, air temperature settings, air humidity settings, triggering of infrared devices such as to create tactile warmth. Upon identifying one or more environmental data files in a received file, e.g., HTML file, environmental data associated with the data files may be read and interpreted. If there are no environmental devices, e.g., smell-generating device, configured to emit a response to the environmental data or if the environmental devices are disabled from emitting a response to the environmental data, then the environmental data may be translated into a form a computer may be capable of reproducing. The translated form may then be outputted in a variety of forms such as: pictorial data (e.g., picture of a pine tree substituting a pine smell), graphical effects (e.g., screen-flashing effect may substitute a strobe-light trigger).