1000 results about "User friendliness" patented technology

A computer data processing system including a central processing unit configured with a novel integrated computer control software system for the management of data objects including dynamic and automatic organization, linking, finding, cross-referencing, viewing and retrieval of multiple objects regardless of nature or source. The inventive system provides underlying component architecture having an object-oriented database structure and a metadata database structure which is unique in storing only one instance of each object while linking the object to multiple collections and domains by unique metadata links for the grouping into and retrieval from any of the collections. The system employs configurable, extensible attribute / properties of data objects in metadata format, and a truly user-friendly configurable interface that facilitates faster, more unified, comprehensive, useful and meaningful information management. Additional features include a sticky path object hierarchy viewing system, key phrase linking, viewing by reference, and drag-and-drop relationship link creation.

A combustion-powered driving tool for driving nails or other fasteners in which the starting characteristics of a motor in the tool are improved by varying the amount of voltage applied to the motor when starting the motor and during normal operations so that the motor is driven to reach the rotational speed required in normal operations quickly. Therefore, the combustion-powered driving tool does not require the use of an expensive low-inertia motor, but can use a relatively inexpensive core-type motor or the like with inferior starting characteristics, while improving the work efficiency and user-friendliness of the combustion-powered driving tool.

An apparatus and method defines a markup language for accessing data in a database. The markup language is preferably defined in extensible markup language (XML) by creating suitable document type definitions (DTDs), which define the grammar for accessing data in the database using the markup language. A bridge interprets the data request from the client in markup language format, a suitable database query for the database is formulated, and the data is then placed within a document for delivery in markup language format to the user. As new data types are added to the database, corresponding document type definitions (DTDs) may be dynamically generated, allowing a user to access new kinds of data in a database with a software tool that has a user-friendly graphical user interface without having to manually update the software tool for each new data type that is added to the database.

Private Multimedia Network (PMN) complements, and is an improved alternative to digital videoconferencing and multimedia delivery systems. PMN's desktop and meeting room delivery system is designed to support the exponential growth of enterprise team-based initiatives. PMN provides “one-stop-shopping” for the full multimedia rubric. It delivers user-friendly control and cost / effective TV and broadcast quality videoconferencing and other multimedia services to organizations with “critical mass” campuses and building complexes. Though digital systems dominate the videoconferencing marketplace, PMN's hybrid digital / analog architecture has no digital peer in breadth or quality of service within or between campuses. The novel architecture leverages advances in analog video short-haul technology, digital long-haul technology, and telephony audio and control technology to deliver four-level multimedia services: 1) premise; 2) campus; 3) multi-site; and 4) ubiquitous (any site with ITU compatible multimedia equipment (e.g., videoconferencing) and communication links). On balance, the price / performance afforded by PMN's centralized Telco-based control and audio delivery combined with its decentralized broadcast quality video distribution raise videoconferencing and other multimedia services to a new level of ubiquity. Just as telephones and PC LANs, PMN delivers expensive Boardroom and mobile cart videoconferencing capabilities to every desktop via existing multimedia wall plates. The key phases for this invention are: Lip-synchronization across differing network communication links and protocols; Ubiquitous multimedia service; Cost / effective room and desktop deployment; Telco control and audio; Broadcast quality video; Isochronous Quality; Centralized control and distributed operation; and Interoperable architecture.

A test system comprises a test processor which is arranged to perform hardware level tests on a unit under test. A voice interface interfaces to an external voice communication link coupled to a remote voice communication unit. A test controller is coupled to the test processor and the voice interface and comprises a script processor for executing a test control script. The test control script is in accordance with a voice scripting language standard, such as the Voice extensible Markup Language, VXML, standard. The script processor comprises a first interface for interfacing with the test processor in response to the test control script and a second interface for interfacing with the voice interface in response to the test control script. The invention may allow a user friendly speech interface to a hardware level test system.

A musical jukebox is disclosed which provides for: fast archiving of songs; a flexible user interface; easy and convenient entry of, access to and / or display of data relating to songs archived by the jukebox; easy and convenient search and locate capabilities for locating, reviewing, retrieving and / or playing songs stored in the jukebox; and low cost relative to the functionality, features, conveniences and user-friendliness provided by the jukebox. Fast of flush archiving of songs (as well as other data and signals) is accomplished by first saving sets of data without compression, which allows the data to be entered quickly, and then, compressing later at an appropriate time. A unique MP3 bit allocation encoding scheme is used to compress data. A unique memory allocation supports fast data archiving. The user interface employs two-way communication between a remote control and the jukebox. A searchable song database is structured to enable very fast searching by music category, and also by title and artist. The jukebox is provided with an on-board song track database to automatically identify new songs input to the jukebox.

The invention discloses a mapping knowledge domain questioning and answering system and method based on a template matching technique. The system comprises an offline module and an online module, wherein the offline module is mainly used for offline data preparation, and the online module is mainly used for system service. The system can support a friendly natural language question of a user to serve as a query, grammatical analysis is conducted on the question of the user, an offline-defined manual template library is searched for a matched question template according to a result obtained through grammatical analysis, a final structurized mapping knowledge domain query statement is generated according to an entity matching method and a relation matching method, retrieving is conducted in a mapping knowledge domain according to the structurized query statement, and then a final result is returned. According to the mapping knowledge domain questioning and answering system and method based on the template matching technique, the precise retrieving result can be given for the question of the user, and the searching satisfaction degree of the user is improved.

A computer system representing user preferences in an N-dimensional preference topography and making recommendations based on such topography. The preference topography depicts user ratings of products in a recommendation database. Each product is represented by a product vector associated with N objectively measurable characteristics. The user rating of a product, therefore, represents the user's preference for the particular combination of the N objectively measurable characteristics making up the product. In making a recommendation of products to the user, the system assigns a rating to each product in the recommendation database based on the preference topography. The system then selects a plurality of maximally unique choices from the rated products for recommendation to the user. These maximally unique choices are calculated to be as diverse from one another as possible but still to the user's liking. In another embodiment of the invention, the system identifies portions of the N-dimensional rating space for which the user has indicated a positive association (a positive preference cluster) or a negative association (a negative preference cluster). In making a recommendation of a potential product, the system determines the similarities of products that fall in the positive preference cluster with the potential product. The system also takes into account the products that fall in the nearest negative cluster and determines the similarities with such products and the potential product. In one particular aspect of the invention, the system presents a virtual character for making the usage of the system more user-friendly and interesting. The virtual character is programmed to interact with the user for obtaining user ratings of products and thus determining where the user preferences lie.

A method (and corresponding database system) for displaying in a view window information characterizing semantics of relations between objects. For each given relation between at least one subject object and at least one direct object, bi-directional modifier data is stored that represents first text characterizing semantics of a relationship of the at least one first object to the at least one second object, and represents second text characterizing semantics of a relationship of the at least one second object to the at least one first object. In response to predetermined user input associated with an object node displayed in the view window, a set of relations whose at least one subject object or at least one direct object is associated with the object node is identified. For at least one relation in the set of relations, the view window is updated to include a second node comprising a graphical representation of: the first text of the given relation in the event that the given object is a subject object in the given relation, or the second text of the given relation in the event that the given object is a direct object in the given relation. The second node may be a relation node associated with a given relation, or a mixed node associated with a relation-type pair. In response to predetermined input with a second node, the second node may be expanded to identify and display one or more object nodes (identifying direct object(s) of relations derived from expansion of a subject object associated therewith or identifying subject object(s) of relations derived from expansion of a direct object associated therewith). Preferably, this expansion routine is recursive in nature.The method (and database system) of the present invention may be used in a wide assortment of software applications, including enterprise applications (such as e-business applications, supply chain management applications, customer relationship management applications, decision support applications), the file system in operating systems, web browsers, e-mail applications and personal information management applications. Importantly, the method (and database system) provides an easy, user friendly and efficient mechanism to define, view and query the organization of the data elements (and the relationships therebetween) stored and accessed in such software applications, in a manner that conveys the real-world meaning of such relationships.

Improved techniques and systems for utilizing a portable electronic device to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a remote sensor during a physical activity session are disclosed. The portable electronic device offers a convenient user interface that can be visual and / or audio based customized to a particular application, user-friendly and / or dynamic. The portable electronic device can pertain to a personal media device and thus also provide media playback.

A mouse driven splitter program and algorithm is disclosed herein. The invention is a user interface which solves the problem of interactively designing splitter window layouts by combining maximum flexibility and generality with user-friendliness. The invention allows a program user to create every possible combination of panes and nested splitter windows with no limitation on the nesting depth. The entire process is purely graphical, employing only the mouse as a tool. Similarly, the user can place content, such as a particular chart in any pane using the mouse only.

A system and method for identifying objects possessing minute but significant details is described. At its core, the system includes a user interface, means for comparatively identifying the object and means for displaying results. Notably, because the system does not rely upon highly specialized or complex equipment, the invention is expected to have particular applicability in a wide variety of every-day situations. Moreover, the system is explicitly designed for user friendliness, so as to eliminate that need for extensive training for any prospective user of the system. The system should have particular applicability in key blank identification and key duplication processes.

The present invention relates to a telecommunications system comprising a network element (5′) providing answering service for subscribers, and at least one subscriber terminal (1″) comprising a memory (M1′) for storing parameters associated with selectable profiles, said parameters controlling the functions of the subscriber terminal, and a user interface (2) providing the possibility to select for use one of said selectable profiles with the associated parameters. In order to achieve an improved user-friendliness said parameters stored in the memory (M1′) of the subscriber terminal (1″) include message parameters (MSG1, MSG2, MSG3) which identify messages (A, B, C) that are associated with the respective profiles. A profile selection carried out with the user interface (2) triggers the transmitter (4) to transmit an activation message (ACT) to the network element (5′). The network element is responsive to said activation message (ACT) for activating the message or messages indicated by the activation message such that the activated message or messages (A, B) can be transmitted from the memory means (M2′) to a calling subscriber under predetermined conditions.

The invention provides a recording and reproducing device having a CM skip function, which prevents reductions of advertising effects and user-friendliness. In the case where the contents recorded on the recording and reproducing device include a commercial portion, a viewing history flag is assigned to the commercial portion. If the commercial has been reproduced, the viewing history flag relevant to the commercial is set at 1 to control viewing history of each individual commercial portion. In the case where there is a request for reproduction of the contents, it is determined whether or not the commercial yet to be viewed is more than a predetermined amount to secure convenience for the user by imposing no operational limit until reaching the predetermined amount. If the predetermined amount is reached, an operational limit is imposed so as to urge viewing of the commercial.

A thermostat includes a housing, a user interface, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system using setpoint temperature values. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system may be further configured to identify, based on the subset of HVAC connectors, whether (i) only a single possible HVAC system configuration is indicated thereby, or (ii) multiple possible HVAC system configurations are indicated thereby, resolve a particular one of the multiple possible HVAC system configurations that is applicable based on a user response to an inquiry presented on the user interface, and operate the HVAC system according to the HVAC system configuration.

Provided is a method of controlling a location of a display window on a display screen of an information processing device, and an apparatus using the method. The method of controlling location of a display window includes: displaying the display window on the display screen; and moving the display window on the display screen based on a moving speed and a moving direction of a touch input on the display window. Thus, a terminal incapable of a precise touch input due to a physically small-sized screen of a high resolution makes it possible to move an interactive window or provide a hiding function owing to a user-friendly operation, thereby providing a user with convenience.

A digital audio mixing system for live performance venues includes a software user interface and system host PC with an internal digital signal processor to perform digital mixing functions. The system includes a console having an array of multiple touch screen displays with corresponding fader board (tactile) control surfaces operatively connected to the host PC, and an audio patch bay unit. One or more stage boxes are linked to each other and to the system host PC by wired or wireless connections. The user interface includes multiple functional views and configuration presets, displayed in setup and real time modes, to allow the user to operate the system in a user friendly and simplified environment.

Improved techniques and systems to calibrate an electronic device that is providing activity sensing are disclosed. The activity being sensed can, for example, correspond to walking or running by a user. In one embodiment, calibration can be performed by a portable electronic device so that activity data it receives from a remote sensor device can be more accurately processed. The improved techniques and systems to calibrate can be used to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a remote sensor. The portable electronic device can also offer a convenient user interface that can be visual and / or audio based, customized to a particular application, user-friendly and / or dynamic. The portable electronic device can pertain to a portable media player and thus also provide media playback.

A position detection method using one or more one-dimensional image sensors for detecting a light source (22) in free space is adapted for use as a portable free-space data input device (20) for controlling of a cursor (42) on the display (44) of a computer A user of the portable free-space data input device (20) should move the portable free-space data input device (20) in free space to control the movement of the cursor on the display. This portable free-space data input device (20) can also be used as a free-space handwriting device. It is possible to adapt this pointing device in a design of a user-friendly remote control for a multimedia home entertainment system.

A monitoring and control device includes a touch sensitive LCD screen, with a basic layout including a display area and touch sensitive keys depicted with associated system and function symbols. A main menu or any one of plural system menus can be selectively displayed in the display area. The system menus relate to cabin systems such as audio, lighting, and water systems. The selected system menu displays status information and touch input keys for the user to monitor the status and to select and control the operation of the system. The main menu is a top level window providing essential information regarding all of the cabin systems and allows a user to select any one of the system menus. The device is compact, user-friendly, and adaptable to various system requirements by mere software reprogramming. The displays and input keys are all virtual elements generated by software.

A wireless AV system includes a central wireless unit, serving as a base device, and a TV main unit. The TV main unit includes an SS transmitter / receiver (T / R) unit, a TV section, a TV microcomputer, and a second SS-CPU. The SS T / R unit receives an MPEG-2 stream and command transmission data both of which are transmitted from an SS T / R unit of the central wireless unit, and decodes the MPEG-2 stream and the command transmission data so received. The TV section displays a video signal and outputs an audio signal. The TV microcomputer controls the TV main unit entirely. The second SS-CPU detects a communication condition between the central wireless unit and the TV main unit according to a received radio wave field intensity and a retransmission request made based on an error rate. The TV microcomputer causes the TV section to OSD-display such reception sensitivity information messages that video and / or audio data has been interrupted, that transmission channels are being switched, that connection are being made, and that the TV main unit is out of communication range, according to the. communication condition so detected. Thus, a user is free from a feeling of discomfort even when a display image is interrupted due to transmission channel switching etc. Thus, user-friendliness can be improved.

A comprehensive database system employs common medical terms, vocabularies and identifiers in identifying organizational characteristics as well as location availability and suitability for delivering services by a particular physician to a patient with particular medical conditions via a user friendly display interface. A system for providing healthcare related information comprises a database incorporating information identifying an encompassing organization and multiple constituent organizations of the encompassing organization including a constituent organization type identifier. The database information also incorporates location information identifying multiple locations in a constituent organization available to accommodate a patient for different purposes and includes a location type identifier. An interface processor employs the database in supporting business applications of an organization and in providing a user with service and location information related to a particular constituent organization in response to user command.

A retractable syringe (11) and plunger (20) therefore are provided, whereby the plunger comprises a controlling means (62) which facilitates control of the rate of retraction of the retractable needle. By controlling the rate of needle retraction, the likelihood of blood spattering is reduced, thereby improving the user-friendliness and appeal of the retractable syringe. Typically, the syringe is a prefilled syringe. Following plunger depression, a symmetrical ejector member (92) releases the retractable needle (40) from a retaining member (30) to thereby allow retraction of the retractable needle. Needle retraction is facilitated by a biasing means (70), such as a spring or other compressible and / or de-compressible device. The plunger comprises a plunger housing (21), in which is located the controlling means. The controlling means may be a pneumatic air space (324) inside the plunger housing which automatically acts against the retracting needle to thereby control or regulate the rate of retraction.

A system for capturing, encoding and transmitting continuous video from a camera to a display monitor via a network includes a user friendly interface wherein a map is provided at a display screen for illustrating the location of the cameras and indicating the direction of the camera angle. The monitor includes a display area for selectively displaying selected cameras and for controlling the selection, display and direction of the cameras from a remote location. The display screen can be configured to display one or any combination of cameras. The cameras can be selected by manual selection, pre-programmed sequencing or by event detection with the selected camera automatically displayed on the display area. Secondary monitors may be incorporated to enhance the display features. The secondary monitors are controlled by the control panel provided on the primary monitor.

An on-line VBI printing system that includes one or more cryptographic modules and a central database. The cryptographic modules are capable of implementing a variety of required security standards. A client system provides a user friendly GUI for facilitating the interface of the user to the system. The GUI system includes wizards that help the user step-by-step with processes of registration, logging into the system, and printing the VBI.In one aspect, the invention describes an on-line system for printing a value bearing item (VBI) that includes a memory for storing information specific to a first computer used by the user for registering with the on-line system, wherein the information is used by the server system to identify the first computer and a re-registration wizard for requiring the user to re-register if a second computer used by the user is not the same as the first computer used for registering the user.

The present invention generally relates to conflict management resolution. Typically systems for resolving conflicts between television programs with coinciding broadcast schedules use preferences, a confusing and limited display, or a combination thereof. The present invention, on thee other hand, provides for determining time spans or time slices, that indicate the duration of the conflict, and uses these to determine the available recording options. These can then be displayed in a user friendly interface, that is easy to understand and simple to use. In addition, other example embodiments ensure that the various programs and / or available options are capable of being cycled through, regardless of preference settings.

An image processing apparatus which makes it possible to automatically defining a processing area in which image processing is to be performed according to the type of image processing, to thereby improve user friendliness. A starting point and an ending point are designated on an image displayed on a display, and coordinates as information on the designated points are acquired. A type of image processing to be performed on the displayed image is selected from among a plurality of types of image processing, and information on the selected type is acquired. An editing area on the displayed image, in which the displayed image is to be subjected to the selected type of image processing, is defined according to the information on the designated points and the selected type of image processing. The display of the image in the defined editing area can be changed.

The invention is applicable to the technical field of touch unlocking, and provides a method and system for unlocking a touch device and the touch device. The method comprises the following steps: arranging a preselected icon on the standby interface, wherein the preselected icon forms a rotating wheel and is circularly displayed by rolling the rotating wheel; receiving a command for dragging the selected icon, and judging whether the selected icon disengages from rotating wheel; and if so, unlocking the screen, and entering the operation interface corresponding to the selected icon. By using the invention, the screen unlocking is free from the restrictions of icons and positions, and can be carried out in any position, thereby lowering the limitations to unlocking. The mobile terminal user can enter any wanted application program while unlocking; and the invention enables the unlocking to be interesting and enhances the user-friendliness experience.