International Business Machines Corporation

Andrew J LaHart

Becky J Gibson

Marc Kevin Johlic

Emi K Olsson

Kevin E Hicks

Michael A Squillace

David Salinas

Thomas D Coppedge, Iii

Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to resize (e.g., shrink and/or enlarge) objects in a region of a VU so that additional objects can be accommodated. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for a region/room to calculate when it has reached full capacity, and use a configurable multiplier to decrease the size of all objects in the room, including avatars, desks, chairs, tables, etc. This allows for accommodation of a significantly higher quantity of objects within the region. In a typical embodiment, the transition to smaller size would be seamless to the user. Moreover, in one embodiment, if the room is of a certain type (e.g., auditorium), additional objects may be auto-created or deleted based on the number of avatars entering or exiting the room. Still yet, objects can be enlarged as the occupancy falls below the capacity.

Resizing objects in regions of virtual universes

A user interface for repositioning Web page components that includes an HTML table. Each cell of the table can represents a Web page component that is able to be repositioned. Each cell can include an identifier and a user selectable position control. The identifier can identify the Web page component. The user selectable position control can accept user input designating a position of the component within the Web page. An activation control can accept input entered within the user selectable position control when selected. Activation of the activation control can result in the Web page being reconfigured so that the position of the Web page components corresponds to positions specified by the position controls. In one embodiment, the user interface can be an accessibility option for users having difficulty with a drag and drop interface.

Using an alternate user interface to a drag and drop interface for rearranging configurable web page components

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Arnold, MD, United States of America

Andrew J LaHart