International Business Machines Corporation

Christopher Louis Capps

Gayle Colby Steinbugler

Scott Michael Hallihan

Brenda Maltba Scott

Gregory Covert Smith

Jay Douglas Stouffer

A touch sensitive apparatus and method of operation to improve visual feedback and visual perception of tactile input to an operator. The apparatus includes a touch screen device or display having a touch overlay, a processor and stored program instructions in a memory in which a three-dimensional graphical image, such as a key element, is created in the apparatus and shown on the display as an input device or keypad to the processor. Each key element includes a beveled surface surrounding a flat surface. When a displayed key element is touched by a probe, such as a finger, the screen area about the displayed key element and the finger, visually enlarges or &ldquo;splats&rdquo; confirming the selection of the particular key. Concomitantly or simultaneously, the key element detents or depresses within the key pad, changes color and bevel size further verifying the key selection to the operator thereby creating a sense of key movement and visual perception of tactile input to the operator aiding in the operation of the key pad. The simultaneous visual key enlargement, visual detenting and change in key color and bevel size upon key selection in a touch sensitive apparatus improves the feedback to the operator in the selection and confirmation of a key element actuated by the operator.

Touch sensitive apparatus and method for improved visual feedback

A method of queuing messages for communications between computer programs by placing a plurality of messages in a main queue, placing one or more property messages in one or more property queues associated with the main queue and, for each property message, specifying at least one property of a respective message in the main queue and a unique identifier for the respective message. A property name may be specified for a message, or a property value, or some combination of property names and values. An application program interface (API) makes the main queue and the one or more property queues appear as a single priority queue. A message is retrieved from the main queue according to a predefined priority list which includes the at least one property, which can again be a property name, a property value, or some combination of property names and values. The priority list can be dynamically modified. The system can be implemented in an environment where the messages are placed in the queue by a first computer connected to a network, and retrieved by a second computer connected to the network, with the messages being transmitted across the network.

Algorithm for dynamic prioritization in a queuing environment

Provided is a method and system for displaying a list of items in point of sale transactions on a touch screen user interface by virtually adjusting the display area of a touch screen user interface. The method and system achieve the forgoing by the following steps. Detecting a selection and manipulation of the icon utilized as a virtual handle for expanding and contracting the window for displaying said list of items in point of sale transactions. Determining whether the window for displaying said list of items in point of sale transactions is in either an expanded or contracted state. If it is determined that said window for displaying said list of items in point of sale transactions is in a contracted state, enlarging the window for displaying the list of items in point of sale transactions in response to the detected manipulation of the icon utilized as a virtual handle. If it is determined that said window for displaying said list of items in point of sale transactions is in an expanded state, contracting said window in response to a detected selection of the icon utilized as a virtual handle.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Christopher Louis Capps