Abstract: An interactive display table has a display surface for displaying images and upon or adjacent to which various objects, including a user's hand(s) and finger(s) can be detected. A video camera within the interactive display table responds to infrared (IR) light reflected from the objects to detect any connected components. Connected component correspond to portions of the object(s) that are either in contact, or proximate the display surface. Using these connected components, the interactive display table senses and infers natural hand or finger positions, or movement of an object, to detect gestures. Specific gestures are used to execute applications, carryout functions in an application, create a virtual object, or do other interactions, each of which is associated with a different gesture. A gesture can be a static pose, or a more complex configuration, and/or movement made with one or both hands or other objects.

Abstract: A view restrictor is employed to ensure that private information can only be viewed on an interactive display by a privileged user but not by non-privileged users. By detecting the location and orientation of the view restrictor on the display surface, a private portion of the display surface can be determined. The private portion is not visible to non-privileged users. The private information is then displayed to a privileged user at this private portion, and the view restrictor blocks non-privileged user(s) from viewing the private information. The interactive display detects removal of the view restrictor from the display surface, and interrupts display of the private information. In another embodiment, the private information is obfuscated so that it can be viewed only by a privileged viewer through a view revealer that includes a color filter. The private information may be either a graphic image or text.

Abstract: An interactive table has a display surface on which a physical object is disposed. A camera within the interactive table responds to infrared (IR) light reflected from the physical object enabling a location of the physical object on the display surface to be determined, so that the physical object appear part of a virtual environment displayed thereon. The physical object can be passive or active. An active object performs an active function, e.g., it can be self-propelled to move about on the display surface, or emit light or sound, or vibrate. The active object can be controlled by a user or the processor. The interactive table can project an image through a physical object on the display surface so the image appears part of the object. A virtual entity is preferably displayed at a position (and a size) to avoid visually interference with any physical object on the display surface.

Abstract: A ceramic-ceramic nanocomposite electrolyte having enhanced conductivity is provided. The nancomposite electrolyte is formed from chemically stabilized zirconia such as yttria stabilized zirconia or scandia stabilized zirconia and a heterogeneous ceramic dopant material such as Al2O3, TiO2, MgO, BN, or Si3N4 The nanocomposite electrolyte is formed by doping the chemically stabilized zirconia with the ceramic dopant material and pressing and sintering the composite. The resulting electrolyte has a bulk conductivity of from about 0.10 to about 0.50 S/cm at about 600° C. to about 900° C. and may be incorporated into a solid oxide fuel cell.