International Business Machines Corporation

Sarah D Redpath

Susan F Henshaw

David Bruce Lection

Donald Robert Wood

David Allen Schell

Abbott Purdy Brush, Ii

Randy Allan Rendahl

Gennaro A Cuomo

Robert Thomas Uthe

Thyra Lynne Rauch

John L Scanlon

Joseph S Coulombe

A system and method for displaying objects in a plurality of layers. The layers are distinguished from one another using a variety of display attributes in order to emphasize objects in upper layers and de-emphasize objects in lower layers. The display attributes may include use of color (hue, saturation, and value), three dimensional images, fill patterns, and other display techniques. The user is able to change the layering in order to emphasize a different group, or category, of objects and de-emphasize other groups. The layers can be predefined, for example a hardware and software layers, or may be defined by analyzing the attributes corresponding with the objects. Objects and their attributes are stored in a data store, such as a relational database. Predefined layers include one or more of these attributes to use for matching.

System and method for simultaneous display of multiple object categories

A technique, system, and computer program for providing a visually oriented, easily navigable search facility. Templates containing field names and possible default values are stored for each available task for this user, preferably in a memory cache or disk cache. When the user enters a value or pattern into a field of the search criteria, this value or pattern is retained. When a subsequent search is requested, the retained values are checked to determine if the user already entered values for any fields of the now-current template. If so, then those values are automatically filled in for this current template. The user is allowed to override any of the filled-in values, and these overrides will also become retained values. Retained values are cleared when the user exits the search facility, or when the user explicitly requests to clear the values.

Visually oriented, easily navigable search facility

A technique for alerting users to the existence of an interactive station within a virtual world accessible via the World Wide Web and determining whether the user is authorized to access the interactive station. An indicator is provided within the virtual world which shows to users the location and existence of an interactive station of the virtual world. The user selects the interactive station indicator in order to attempt to gain access to the interactive station. The virtual world may then verify whether the user is authorized to access the interactive station. Further, if the user is authorized to access the interactive station, the virtual world may maintain access to user data during the user's visit to the interactive station and modify the users data in accordance with the users activities therein. Also, the virtual world may use data provided by the user to perform functions in accordance with the users activities during the user's access to the interactive station.

Interactive station indicator and user qualifier for virtual worlds

A technique for providing enhanced intuitive navigation in a virtual world. User selectable hot spots are provided within a virtual world that users may select to automatically be moved to predetermined move-to coordinates within the virtual world. The user may be transported directly to the move-to coordinates or the user may have its motion controlled by the virtual world to in essence walk the user to the move-to coordinates within the virtual world. The selectable hot spot may become inactive following selection of the hot spot by a user until the user moves off of the move-to coordinates, or a plurality of move-to coordinates may be provided such that the hot spot remains active until all of the move-to coordinates are occupied by users. Additionally, the hot spot may be visually enhanced to make it easier to be seen and selected when the user is more than a predetermined distance from the hot spot within the virtual world.

Visual metaphor for shortcut navigation in a virtual world

A method and apparatus wherein a user interacts with an intelligent virtual object, or avatar, wherein the user is able to program a personality into the intelligent virtual object. The programmed personality allows the intelligent virtual object to react to stimuli without the need to communicate each stimuli to the user. This optimizes the flow of traffic over the transmission medium.

User interaction with intelligent virtual objects, avatars, which

A method and system for efficiently presenting the contents of a container object within a graphical user interface on a display in a data processing system. The graphical user interface includes an existing display window area. A container object, which may be utilized as a graphical indication of the storage of multiple objects, is selected. An organized format for presenting contents of the specified container object is specified by a user. The contents of the selected container object are then presented in the specified organized format within the existing display window area in the graphical user interface on the display, without allocating an additional display window area.

Method and system for presenting contents of a container object within a

A computer programming technique is presented for improving the usability of graphical user interfaces. A snap control is provided with individual elements of the graphical user interface, such as windows or container objects, which upon invocation by a user automatically relocates the associated element at a hide position. Preferably, the hide position utilizes a portion of the desktop beyond the edge of what is displayed to a user, with only a portion of the element having a return snap control button remaining visible to a user.

Snap control for relocating elements of a graphical user interface

The automatic storage of an object within a container object within a graphical user interface within a data processing system. A display, included within the data processing system, is utilized to display an iconic representation of a container object which is a graphic indication of a storage of objects. An object and a container object within the graphical user interface are specified. The object is thereafter associated with the container object. During utilization the object is removed from the container object. The object is then automatically stored within the container object in response to a completion of the utilization to enhance the organization of objects within the container object and the graphical user interface.

Method and system for automatic storage of an object within a container

A method and system for enhancing user efficiency in locating and accessing application and data files represented by selectable graphical objects in a graphical user interface environment. Selectable graphical objects are displayed within a graphical user interface environment, and a relocation criterion is associated with each of the selectable graphical objects. Periodically and automatically the location of the selectable graphical object is evaluated with respect to the relocation criterion and with respect to the current location of the selectable graphical object. In response to each evaluation of the relocation criterion, the selectable graphical objects may be relocated within a desired region for relocation within the graphical user interface environment. This relocation of selectable graphical objects provides an optimal arrangement facilitating efficient user interaction with the data processing system by relocating groups of selectable graphical objects in locations consistent with a predetermined frequency of access criterion, duration of access criterion or other similar priority determinations.

Method and system for relocating selectable graphical objects in a

Scrolling of work objects displayed on a computer display screen is controlled by a control element window displayed simultaneously on the display screen with the work area which is to be scrolled. A reduced size representation of the overall dimensions of the work object with the work area viewing portion of reduced size superimposed over it are displayed in a second window or display area on the screen. Cursor selection or movement of the reduced size representation of the work area within the representation of the overall work object by cursor selection and dragging or by activation of incremental scrolling or directional scrolling buttons displayed within the second display area, controls the portion of the overall work object displayed within the first display area.

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

Sarah D Redpath