Showing papers on "Graphical user interface published in 1996"

TreeView : an application to display phylogenetic trees on personal computers

Abstract: TreeView is a simple, easy to use phylogenetic tree viewing utility that runs under both MacOS (on Apple Macintosh computers) and under Microsoft Windows on Intel based computers, the two most common personal computers used by biologists. Some phylogeny programs, such as PAUP (Swofford, 1993) and MacClade (Maddison and Maddison, 1992) already provide excellent tree drawing and printing facilities, however at present these programs are restricted to Apple Macintosh computers. Furthermore, they require the user to load a data set before any trees can be displayed which is inconvenient if the user simply wants to view the trees. More portable programs, such as DRAWGRAM and DRAWTREE in the PHYLIP package (Felsenstein, 1993) can run on both MacOS and Windows computers, but make little, if any use of the graphical interface features available under those operating systems. TreeView runs as a native application on either MacOS or Windows computers, enables the user to use the standard fonts installed on their machine, their printer, and supports the relevant native graphics format (PICT and Windows metafile) for either creating graphics files or pasting pictures to other applications via the clipboard. The program also supports standard file operations, such as 'drag and drop' whereby dragging a file's icon onto the program opens that file. TreeView can read a range of tree file formats (see below) and can display trees in a range of styles (Fig. 1). Additional information, such as edge lengths and internal node labels can also be displayed. The order of the terminal taxa in the tree can be altered, and the tree can be rerooted. If the tree file contains more than one tree the user can view each tree in turn. The program can also save trees in a variety of file formats, so that it can be used to move trees between programs that use different file formats.

Macintosh Program performs time‐series analysis

Abstract: A Macintosh computer program that can perform many time-series analysis procedures is now available on the Internet free of charge. Although AnalySeries was originally designed for paleoclimatic time series, it can be useful for most fields of Earth sciences. The program's graphical user interface allows easy access even for people unfamiliar with computer calculations. Previous versions of the program are already used by hundreds of scientists worldwide.

Graphic user interface for database system

Abstract: A graphic user interface method for representing a search of a database, providing a plurality of stylized Venn diagrams each representing an intersection of at least two sets; receiving from the user, for each generic graphic icon, a selection of at least one region, defining an output data set; presenting the generic graphic icons on the graphic user interface as modified graphic icons, each having graphic indication of the selections; and receiving linkage information from the user for the modified graphic icons to represent a composite set inclusion property, based on the output data sets and the linkage information Once a search is defined, it may be translated, as necessary, for execution by a typical database search engine Retrieved results may be quantified and ranked by the interface system for optimal presentation to the user

Scaling proxy server sending to the client a graphical user interface for establishing object encoding preferences after receiving the client's request for the object

Abstract: A system for enhancing data access over a communications link is disclosed. In accordance with a particular embodiment, a system for retrieving an object over a computer network includes a network client with a browser for rendering an object to a user and a user interface enabling the user to establish an encoding preference. A remote scaling server is coupled between the network client and the computer network, and includes a remote proxy and an encode service provider. The remote scaling server is configured to request a user-specified encoding preference from the network client, retrieve an object from the computer network using the remote proxy, encode the object using the encode service provider in accordance with the requested user-specified encoding preference, and transmit the encoded object to the network client using the remote proxy. The disclosed system thus enables users to dynamically influence the trade-off between quality of content and download speed.

System and method for displaying data items in a ticker display pane on a client computer

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically displaying data items on a client computer. In one aspect of the invention, the client computer displays a graphical user interface having a windowing environment and a desktop. The desktop includes a ticker display pane for dynamically displaying the data items. The data items may contain hyperlinks so that a user has access to information on multiple server computers. The data items are displayed in a substantially continuous sequence and may be provided from Internet servers, Intranet servers, LAN servers, and/or the client computer itself.

Intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface

Abstract: A user performs a manual selection or a gesture selection of a screen object (210, 220, 230) on a screen (150) of an electronic device (100) using a pointing device (190). After a manual selection, such as a single tap, the electronic device (100) automatically presents a temporary directional palette (450) having palette buttons (451, 452, 453, 454, 455) that explicitly state functions of the electronic device (100). Each palette button has a unique compass direction relative to the original tap area. By making a second tap on a desired palette button, a novice user learns available functions of the electronic device (100) and their corresponding directional gestures. Alternately, the user may perform a gesture selection of both a screen object and a function, such as making a double tap or drawing a line in the appropriate direction, before the directional palette appears on the screen (150).

Analysis and Visualisation of Neutron-Scattering Data

Abstract: Rapid data inspection and analysis for large arrays is achieved by the program LAMP which was locally written using the IDL® language. Ease of use is ensured by graphical user interfaces, and flexibility is offered by data structure which is optimised for neutron-scattering data and user-macros.

Operating system shell having a windowing graphical user interface with a desktop displayed as a hypertext multimedia document

Abstract: An operating system shell provides a graphical user interface having a windowing environment with a desktop. The shell synthesizes a hypertext page for display as the desktop in the graphical user interface. The hypertext page has an embedded software object which provides graphical icon-oriented and menu-driven user interface elements for activating operating system services in the displayed hypertext page. The shell also provides windowed hypertext pages for managing file system folders. The shell synthesizes the hypertext pages from templates which can be edited to incorporate a variety of multi-media enhancements with the user interface elements in the graphical user interface. Templates can be associated with specific folders in the file system to provide folder specific hypertext pages integrated with user interface elements for managing the folder.

Method and apparatus for fleet management

Abstract: The invention provides a system for fleet management having a main process 1501 and client processes 1503, 1505. The system has a graphical user interface user apparatus 1508 having a display and user interface such as a keyboard. The system also uses a main process manager 1501 operably coupled to the display 1508 through a central processor. The child processes include a current report receiver 1503 operably coupled to the display through said central processor, and a history report receiver 1505 operably coupled to the display through the central processor. The child processes are also each operably coupled to a mobile information center, which provides vehicle position data and the like. This vehicle position data are received and transmitted to a fleet of vehicles (e.g., couriers, etc.) through the mobile information center.

Portable audio database device with icon-based graphical user-interface

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving information to and from a memory of a hand-held audio database device The audio database device includes a graphics display provided on a hand-held housing for displaying graphical information A microphone and a speaker are provided on the housing to receive and broadcast audio information from and to a user, respectively The audio database device includes a memory configured to store graphical icons and to support a hierarchical memory structure comprising categories, wherein the icons graphically represent the categories A user-actuated navigation control is provided on the housing and permits a user to navigate the categories in the hierarchical memory structure and to select a desired category A processor is coupled to the memory, the display, and the navigation control and effects displaying of one of the icons on the display when the user is navigating a corresponding one of the categories, and storing of the audio information in the desired category of the memory

Network-based intelligent tutoring system

Abstract: A technique for providing a networked, distributed tutorial application having a direct manipulation graphical user interface displayable on an Internet client node is disclosed. The application has a first portion on an Internet server node and a second portion on the Internet client node, the first portion performing application specific subject matter processing and the second portion being substantially application independent in that this second portion is applicable in a wide variety of tutoring applications for generating and maintaining an appropriate user interface during user interactions. The second portion includes an Internet browser (e.g., a hypertext mark-up language browser) that is utilized for communicating with the server node to perform application subject matter specific processing. A user being tutored may create, delete or modify graphical objects whose data structure definitions are provided by the server node, each such object having, for example, a behavior or data structure representing the semantics of a tutorial subject matter entity. Such user interactions are accumulated and utilized on the client node to maintain, independently of any communication with the server node, an interactive user interface semantically consistent with both the tutorial application and the user's interactions.

Network arrangement for development delivery and presentation of multimedia applications using timelines to integrate multimedia objects and program objects

Abstract: A network arrangement for the delivery and presentation of multimedia applications includes one or more file servers, containing multimedia assets and program objects connected to the network. A user terminal connected to the network includes a display for displaying a plurality of timelines. The terminal also includes a graphical user interface for placing icons representing multimedia assets on one timeline and icons representing program objects on another timeline. The terminal has a processor which integrates multimedia objects from the multimedia assets associated with the first timeline with the program objects associated with the second timeline to produce an interactive multimedia application. A user input device cooperates with the user terminal to retrieve from the file server(s) and to playback or execute one or more objects at a relative time presented on the interactive multimedia application.

International User Interfaces

Abstract: International Usability Engineering (J. Nielsen). Problems in Designing the User Interface for Systems Supporting International Human-Human Communication (J. Connolly). Developing a Cultural Model (N. Hoft). Culture and Design (E. del Galdo). Cultural Learning Differences in Software User Training (E. Krock). Impact of Culture on User Interface Design (M. Ito and K. Nakakoji). Arabization of Graphical User Interfaces (F. Amara and F. Portaneri). A Chinese Text Display Supported by an Algorithm for Chinese Segmentation (L. Chen and W. Jin). Case Study: Managing a Multiple Language Document System (S. Copeland). The Design of Multilingual Documents (E. del Galdo). An Intelligent Lexical Management System for Multilingual Machine Translation (Y. Goa). A Day in the Life: Studying Context Across Cultures (S. Dray and D. Mrazek). Icon and Symbol Design Issues for Graphical User Interfaces (A. Marcus). Index.

Graphical user interface for customer service representatives for subscriber management systems

Abstract: The present invention is a graphical user interface ("GUI") for customer service representatives ("CSRs") for subscriber management systems ("SMS") for telecommunications service providers, including cable television multiple system operators ("MSOs"). A screen is provided with menus of icons for various functions at the customer service workstation ("CSW") for the CSRs. Sections of the screen provide presentation of various data to the CSR from the SMS.

Spotfire: an information exploration environment

Abstract: In this paper we examine the issues involved in developing information visualisation systems and present a framework for their construction. The framework addresses the components which must be considered in providing effective visualisations. The framework is specified using a declarative object oriented language; the resulting object model may be mapped to a variety of graphical user interface development platforms. This provides general support to developers of visualisation systems. A prototype system exists which allows the investigation of alternative visualisations for a range of data sources.

Graspable user interfaces

Abstract: This dissertation defines and explores Graspable User Interfaces, an evolution of the input mechanisms used in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). A Graspable UI design provides users concurrent access to multiple, specialized input devices which can serve as dedicated physical interface widgets, affording physical manipulation and spatial arrangements. Like conventional GUIs, physical devices function as "handles" or manual controllers for logical functions on widgets in the interface. However, the notion of the Graspable UI builds on current practice in a number of ways. With conventional GUIs, there is typically only one graphical input device, such as a mouse. Hence, the physical handle is necessarily "time-multiplexed," being repeatedly attached and unattached to the various logical functions of the GUI. A significant aspect of the Graspable UI is that there can be more than one input device. Hence input control can then be "space-multiplexed." That is, different devices can be attached to different functions, each independently (but possibly simultaneously) accessible. This, then affords the capability to take advantage of the shape, size and position of the physical controller to increase functionality and decrease complexity. It also means that the potential persistence of attachment of a device to a function can be increased. By using physical objects, we not only allow users to employ a larger expressive range of gestures and grasping behaviors but also to leverage off of a user's innate spatial reasoning skills and everyday knowledge of object manipulations. In this thesis the concept of Graspable user interfaces is defined. Support for the concept is provided from the psychological literature. Instantiations of the concept are found in existing user interfaces. A task analysis of an existing interface's input activities and how to convert these to Graspable user interface devices is presented. The possible uses and implementation difficulties of bricks, a specific Graspable user interface are investigated. Finally, the advantages of two of the Graspable UI properties over conventional time-multiplexed generic input devices is measured by two controlled experiments.

System for designing dynamic layouts adaptable to various display screen sizes and resolutions

Abstract: An intelligent layout system for drawing objects and organizing the drawn objects. The layout system facilitates creation of objects, such as boxes that can contain text, graphics, outlines, titles, headlines, and other information and data, to provide a custom dashboard layout, as well as serves as a layout manager for organization of the objects. Additionally, the layout system enables objects to be manipulated individually or as a group and to be arranged permanently in various relationships, in which various components or attributes of the objects are interrelated. For example, the layout system enables a user to interrelate objects in one or more permanent relationships by selectively distributing, aligning, sizing, and/or spacing the objects. The layout system also provides a graphical user interface design tool for designing dynamic page layouts that automatically adapt to various page sizes and display screen sizes and resolutions. The layout system enables objects to be connected to the edge or edges of one or more pages in an intuitive and gestural manner to provide a dynamic page layout tool that automatically moves objects and causes them to re-size automatically to adapt the size and position of the objects if the page is re-sized or the size or resolution of the display screen is altered.

Telecommunication management system and user interface

Abstract: A method and a device for the management of a TAPI or TSAPI based telecommunications system through the use of a graphical user interface. The invention displays incoming and outgoing calls as icons which are graphically manipulated to control the functions of the system. Dialing, transferring, and conferencing telephone calls, as well as other functions, is accomplished by the manipulation of icons and windows on a computer display.

Multiuser/multi pointing device graphical user interface system

Abstract: A graphical user interface system is provided having an event-driven control program with a unified user input pointing event stream without distinction of source and a graphical user interface having a virtual display space containing objects. The control program processing events related to a plurality of user inputs representing different locations within the virtual display space, and operates optionally in two modes. A first mode permits the plurality of user inputs to interact, allowing an object in the virtual display space at a first location specified by an initial user input to be associated with a second location specified by a concurrent and subsequently terminating user input. In this case, the control program has a counter which increments on activity of any user input and decrements on cessation of activity of any user input, for determining an initial user input condition, temporal concurrence of a plurality of user inputs, and a terminal user input condition. A second mode processes a series of events related to a first user input without apparent functional interference with a concurrent series of events related to a second user input.

Customizable user interface for network navigation and management

Abstract: A graphical user interface for network management permits a network manager to select a limited number of network components to be displayed, along with the information relative thereto, while removing the display of undesirable or unnecessary data. Information is provided to inform the network manager that connections to other components may exist. In addition, information regarding the relationship of other components connected to the selected components is displayed. The network manager is provided with the opportunity to navigate about the map which illustrates the network topology, to locate the source of a problem. If the relationship between components changes, the network manager can expand the information displayed on the screen, to view all of the components that are directly connected to an illustrated component associated with a problem. The network manager can continue to request the display of specific connections, until the component which is the source of the problem is itself displayed and identified. Once the problem has been corrected, the manager can collapse the view to the originally selected components.

Gifa V. 4: A complete package for NMR data set processing

Abstract: The Gifa program is designed for processing, displaying and analysing 1D, 2D and 3D NMR data sets. It has been constructed in a modular fashion, based on three independent modules: a set of commands that perform all the basic processing operations such as apodisation functions, a complete set of Fourier Transforms, phasing and baseline correction, peak-picking and line fitting, linear prediction and maximum entropy processing; a set of command language primitives that permit the execution of complex macro commands; and a set of graphic commands that permit to build a complete graphic user interface, allowing the user to interact easily with the program. We have tried to create a versatile program that can be easily extended according to the user's requirements and that is adapted to a novice as well as an experienced user. The program runs on any UNIX computer, with or without graphic display, in interactive or batch mode.

Adaptive graphical user-interface for a network peripheral

Abstract: The method generates and displays an adaptive graphical user interface of a current configuration and current capabilities of a networked peripheral device connected to a local area network. The method includes the steps of requesting from a user's work station a current configuration and current capabilities of a networked peripheral device, transmitting, in response to the request, an interrogation command to the networked peripheral device over the local area network, and receiving, from the networked peripheral device, information corresponding to a current configuration and capabilities of the networked peripheral device. The method further includes retrieving peripheral device configuration and capabilities from libraries based on the received information and generating a graphical user interface using data within the retrieved libraries, and displaying a graphical user interface including a representative graphical image of the networked peripheral device in its current configuration and with its current capabilities.

Menu control in a graphical user interface

Abstract: In a graphical user interface (GUI) for a personal computer system, an improved method and apparatus for accessing and executing commands associated with user applications. In addition to the standard menu categories of a menubar and control icons of a tool bar, the present invention provides a "hyperbutton", a "context sensitive pop-up menu" and a "menu control editor". A hyperbutton displays, in a persistent subview, a user selected default hyperitem from the hyperitems of the menubar. The default hyperitem is automatically executed when selected by the user with a mouse. The hyperbutton displays a title of the default hyperitem. The user can change the default hyperitem using a pop-up menu displayed in response to an interface command such as a right mouse button. A context sensitive pop-up menu is associated with a particular object such as a grid subview. The user configures the context sensitive pop-up menu to contain a custom set of the hyperitems associated with the object. A hyperitem editor allows the user to configure the hyperbutton and context sensitive pop-up menu by defining the associated hyperitems and their attributes.

Graphic user interface for managing a server system

Abstract: A graphical user interface provides a navigation model in the form of a hierarchical tree structure which is representative of a server system a user selected to manage. The hierarchical tree structure is populated or built to include a number of icons representative of different classes or categories of major components and their associated subcomponents contained in the selected server system and their logical relationships. In response to user icon selections, the navigation model expands and collapses the tree structure in a predetermined manner so as to enable the user to easily navigate through the different levels of components and subcomponents of the server with a minimum amount of information and determine status in addition to setting threshold values for items to be managed within the server system.

Background image with a continuously rotating and functional 3D icon

Abstract: A graphical user interface displays a three-dimensional icon with a background image. The 3D icon is selectable by a user to carry out a corresponding function. The icon is continuously rotated and having a shadow. A graphical user interface also displays a first menu image on a display for an operating system on a computer. The first menu image includes a taskbar image which carries button images selectable by the user to carry out a function. The GUI also displays a second menu image on the display for a navigator software which is running under the operating system. The navigator software provides a quasi-operating system environment. The GUI displays the taskbar image in the second menu image whereby the user can carry out functions of the operating system from within the quasi-operating system environment provided by the navigator software. Three visual walls are arranged on the GUI as if the user is standing inside a three-dimensional cube and open to the sky. Clicking once either on the side walls moves the contents of the side wall to the center, in effect rotating the cube. When a wall is centered, the user can activate any function in the wall by clicking on a button. Buttons displayed in the side wall may be immediately activated by double clicking so the user does not have to center the side wall.

Graphical display of an animated data stream between devices on a bus

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) displays graphical images representing devices coupled to a bus structure. The bus structure is also graphically represented and illustratively coupled to each of the graphical device images. Preferably, the bus structure is an IEEE 1394 serial bus. The system is preferably a computer system. Alternatively, the system is a television, monitor or other display system coupled to and capable of communicating over the serial bus and including a control processor and a display device. When a device is added to the serial bus, a graphical image representing that device is automatically displayed in the graphical user interface. Similarly, when a device is removed from the serial bus, the graphical image representing that device is grayed out, leaving a shadow of the graphical image until the device is either re-coupled or the system is powered off. Tasks performed by the devices coupled to the serial bus are also controlled and monitored by the user through the graphical user interface of the computer system. In order to control such tasks, a cursor control device is used to choose options displayed in the graphical user interface. One or more task windows are included in the interface which help the user select the task to be performed. Once selected, controls, commands and data related to that task are displayed within a control display window of the graphical user interface. When a task requires data to be sent between devices, the flow of data between the devices over the serial bus network is graphically represented by an animated data stream within the graphical representation of the bus structure. When the data stops flowing between the devices, the animated data stream disappears. When a device is added to the serial bus, an animated stream of data temporarily flows between the graphical image of the new device and the computer system.

System and method for an iconic drag and drop interface for electronic file transfer

Abstract: A system and method for transferring files from a sending user to a recipient, utilizes a drag-and-drop graphical user interface. To send a file to a recipient, the user drags and drops onto the recipient's icon an icon, or set of selected icons, representing the file(s) to be transmitted. Information pertaining to the file and the recipient is captured from the icons and used to establish a session between the sender and the recipient. The file is transferred to the recipient via the established session.

Multi-layered television graphical user interface

Abstract: A TV graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to produce a multi-layered graphical presentation. The TV GUI operates in a channel changer mode to enable a user to tune to a required TV channel, and in a program guide mode to show TV program information. A memory for storing graphics data is capable of storing two graphics planes that represent upper and lower layers of graphics displayable on a TV screen. A graphics accelerator combines the graphics planes to produce various graphical effects on the screen. In the channel changer mode, the right hand side of the upper layer is made transparent to expose graphical buttons produced in the lower layer of graphics. In the program guide mode, the graphical buttons are partially covered by a program guide produced in the upper layer. When the user moves a cursor to the right hand side of the screen, the right hand portion of the program guide is made transparent to fully expose the graphical buttons in the lower layer.

Computer vision system with a graphic user interface and remote camera control

Abstract: Computer vision systems provide a user a view of a scene whereby an image of the scene may have been augmented with information generated by a computer. Computer vision systems of the present invention include graphical user interfaces which have been discovered to operably interact with geometric constructs of a user environment, objects within a scene, perspective of the scene, image features of a signal which represents the scene, among others. These graphical user interfaces of the invention do not behave as those known because operation of these interfaces depends on properties and features particular to computer vision systems which have position and attitude determining means.

Antenna system and method

Abstract: The antenna system and method for dynamically controlling radiation patterns provides an assortment of radiation patterns to increase the performance of communication systems, such as trunking communication systems and cellular communication systems. One embodiment of the antenna system permits a user to manually select a desired radiation pattern from the assortment of radiation patterns. For example, the user may manually select a desired radiation pattern via a graphical user interface of a general purpose computer, or via a conventional telephone. Another embodiment of the antenna system and method tailors radiation patterns in response to factors such as the locations of mobile units, the channel assignments of mobile units, and the transmissions of particular mobile units.