초록 ▼

Tree navigator graphical user interfaces are provided which execute on user queries for data asynchronously, and which may display information obtained as a result of a query as soon as it is available, even though additional responsive information is not yet available. These tree navigator graphica

Tree navigator graphical user interfaces are provided which execute on user queries for data asynchronously, and which may display information obtained as a result of a query as soon as it is available, even though additional responsive information is not yet available. These tree navigator graphical user interfaces may also be designed to anticipate future queries for data based on past or current queries, and pre-load data into the graphical user interface which is responsive to the anticipated future queries. The tree navigator graphical user interfaces may additionally use "placeholder objects" and "loading icons" to notify the user regarding the loading status of the data associated with a particular branch of the tree.

대표청구항 ▼

Tree navigator graphical user interfaces are provided which execute on user queries for data asynchronously, and which may display information obtained as a result of a query as soon as it is available, even though additional responsive information is not yet available. These tree navigator graphica

Tree navigator graphical user interfaces are provided which execute on user queries for data asynchronously, and which may display information obtained as a result of a query as soon as it is available, even though additional responsive information is not yet available. These tree navigator graphical user interfaces may also be designed to anticipate future queries for data based on past or current queries, and pre-load data into the graphical user interface which is responsive to the anticipated future queries. The tree navigator graphical user interfaces may additionally use "placeholder objects" and "loading icons" to notify the user regarding the loading status of the data associated with a particular branch of the tree. ser's computer over the graphical image of that particular other user, wherein the user makes group formation and communication decisions based on the information sheets. 5. A system for providing an electronic forum for allowing multiple users to communicate simultaneously with one another, the system comprising: means for providing an interface; a plurality of computers coupled to the means for providing an interface; means for providing each user of the plurality of computers with a graphic image representing the user in an electronic video conference room; means for allowing each user to move their respective graphic image to form small groups with other graphical images; and means for communicating with other users within the respective small group and for receiving visual background communication including captions from other groups, wherein the interface system reduces the size of the captions based on an interface distance between the other groups and the user's respective group. sponse to a user command. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: producing an audible confirmation in response to a user activating the corresponding button. 16. A system for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control designed for a speaker of a second language, the system comprising: an icon repository configured to store an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each interactive option corresponding to a button on the remote control device, each icon sharing a common visual characteristic with a button on the remote control device; a language module configured to store a description, in the first language, of a corresponding interactive option associated with each icon; an icon display component configured to display an icon on a display device associated with the interactive television system in response to a corresponding interactive option becoming available; and a language assistant configured to present with the icon a description of the interactive option in the first language. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote control device includes text markings in the second language, and wherein the description comprises a translation of the text markings into the first language. 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to display the description on the display device. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the language assistant is further configured to visually emphasize the description on the display device. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the description is visually emphasized using a technique selected from the group consisting of highlighting, animation, and scaling. 21. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to display the description on the display device in proximity to the icon. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the description is displayed in a location selected from the group consisting of above the icon, below the icon, to the left of the icon, and to the right of the icon. 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the description is displayed on the icon. 24. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to output the description, using a voice synthesis technique, on a speaker associated with the interactive television system. 25. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to audibly instruct a user, in the first language, to activate the button associated with the icon. 26. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one shared visual characteristic is selected from the group consisting of color, shape, text markings, graphical markings, relative size, and relative position. 27. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one icon shares a plurality of visual characteristics in common with a corresponding button on the remote control. 28. The system of claim 16, wherein the language assistant is further configured to display a map of the remote control device including the displayed icon, wherein the map comprises a plurality of icons representing buttons, each icon having a same relative location as a corresponding button on the remote control. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the language assistant is further configured to switch between a view of the displayed icon and a view of the map in response to a user command. 30. The system of claim 16, further comprising: an audio component configured to produce an audible confirmation in response to a user activating the corresponding button. 31. A computer program product for assisting a speaker of a first language in operating a remote control device designed for a speaker of a second language, the computer program product comprising: program code for storing an icon for each of a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system, each intera