Abstract: A notebook computer which is controlled by a stylus executing gestures on the computer screen. The stylus and the computer include complementary electronic circuitry by which the proximity of the stylus tip to the computer is sensed. The proximity sensing is used to detect to approach of the stylus tip to the computer screen, and gestural commands are then entered on the screen by moving the stylus. The entry of a command is terminated by removing the stylus tip from proximity with the screen, which is detected by the computer, which then implements the command. Alternative methods of implementing the commands include time-outs and command termination buttons.

Abstract: A portable electronic device receives and stores digitally coded traffic reports for a covered geographical area. Upon user request, the device presents traffic information relevant to a user-specified vehicle trip within the covered area. Traffic reports are collected at a traffic operations center and are encoded and then broadcast to the units within the covered geographical area using radio frequency transmission. A touch-sensitive map is used to indicate trip origin, destination, and routings of interest. The device makes calculations to select and modify the relevant reports; and the traffic information from the selected reports is presented to the user by synthesized or digitized voice sounds. In addition to presenting the information on demand, the device also automatically announces new traffic reports received by the device which are relevant to the user-specified trip.

Abstract: An improved pattern recognition system, using an improved method for merging low-level recognition information with auxiliary contextual information such as a Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA). The system comprises a low-level shape recognizer for handwriting input, an English Language dictionary organized as a Trie (a special type of DFA), and software to merge the results of the two. An input of digitized handwriting strokes is translated into characters using the shape recognizer and the Trie in tandem, allowing the system to reject nonsense translations at the earliest possible stage of the process and without the overhead traversing the trie from the top with each translation.

Abstract: A tire derimmer and method for derimming, the tire derimmer including a base edge partially bounding the opening. A jaw is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The jaw is disposable in the lowered position to clamp a tire against the base, adjacent the opening and opposite the working edge. A ram is connected to the jaw. The ram is extendible against a wheel mounted to a tire clamped by the jaw, to pivot the wheel about the working edge and separate the wheel from the tire.