Abstract: A method and apparatus used in conjunction with a combined display/sensing screen (DSS) includes a transparent outer layer overtop of the sensing screen. A plurality of IR emitters inject IR light edgewise into the outer layer, where it undergoes total internal reflection. Touch input devices have reflective pads on them with a high index of refraction which alters the critical angle in the contact area so that some of the IR is refracted out of the surface and then reflected back through the outer layer to the DSS, where the IR sensor array will detect the position of the reflected light and register a signal. The sensor array signals may be combined into a sensor image to detect touch input devices and movement thereof.

Abstract: Methods for graphically programming a computer environment involve using one or graphical directional indicators in the computer environment to program one or more processing elements to perform a user-defined computer operation.

Abstract: Methods for creating user-defined computer operations involve displaying one or more graphical directional indicators in a computer operating environment in response to user input and associating at one graphic object with the graphical directional indicator to produce a valid transaction for the graphical directional indicators.

Abstract: Methods for creating user-defined computer operations involve displaying one or more graphical directional indicators and a visual display object in a computer operating environment in response to user input and associating at one graphic object with said graphical directional indicator to produce a valid transaction for the graphical directional indicators.

Abstract: A wireless data input system that has one or more continuous user input devices on a sensing pad or the like, each device connected to a respective individually addressable RFID tags. Each device operates to enable its corresponding individually addressable RFID tag to transmit a unique PN code or the like that is recognized by the RFID reader to identify the respective device and decode the data therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for editing an electronic document of text and graphic objects utilizes first and second display objects to separate the graphic objects from the text to provide a user with control of the layout of the electronic document. The separation of the text and the graphic objects may involve removing the graphic objects from the first display object and placing the objects in the second display object.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and playing tweening animations allows a user to simply draw a graphic directional indicator, e.g., an arrow, in a computer environment to associate graphic objects with the graphic directional indicator and generate a tweening animation of at least one of the associated graphic objects. The tweening animation can be made to play automatically when the graphic directional indicator is activated or can be made to be controllable by a user-manipulable control device.

Abstract: A sensor pad input system for use with an electronic display screen includes a transparent sensor pad overlaying the display, and at least one tactile input device removably secured to the sensor pad. Each input device emits an IR beam transmitted by the sensor pad to an IR sensor at the edge of the sensor pad. Each input device emits a unique PN code which enables identification of the device and detection of the device setting and changes in the setting. Each input device includes a light receptor directed toward the display screen to derive location data therefrom. Input devices include knob, fader, trackball, and joystick embodiments.

Abstract: A system for using IR light emitted from a wireless input device for the purpose of locating and tracking the device on a transparent sensor pad associated with an electronic display screen. The sensor pad incorporates embedded photo-sensors at the edges of the pad for detecting, identifying, and locating the input device. The input device may be powered by EM field, or light emitted by the display screen.

Abstract: Methods and controls for playing media include a Blackspace Timeline (BTL), and the Play Rectangle (PR). Both of these structures exist as graphic objects and they permit users to both navigate and operate (e.g., edit, scrub, assemble, combine, etc.) media without the use of external tools, e.g., a zoom tool, a play cursor, which must be entered as a separate mode, etc. Media objects are dragged to the timeline, which is rescalable, and re-ranged by click and drag techniques. BTL and PR may function as a time scale device, or as a length measurement device.

Abstract: A system for interactively operating with a resistive touch screen for signaling that any physical control device applied to the touch screen has been touched. A field antenna extends about the perimeter of the touch screen to emit an EM field. Each physical control device includes a resonant antenna tuned to the EM field, and a simple switch on each physical control device completes the resonant antenna circuit only when the physical control device is touched by the user. The touch event may determine that a physical control device is being operated, and that all physical control devices should be turned ON, to the exclusion of other touch inputs to the touch screen. The LC resonant antenna may be incorporated in a pen wielded by a touch screen user, and the touch input may be used as a mouse click input.

Abstract: A method for text editing includes drawing a staircase object which is recognized by the software and replaced by a machine rendered staircase object. The user places alphanumeric characters adjacent to each step of the staircase object, the font, case, style, color and punctuation indicating the format of the heading of each step. An arrow is drawn from the staircase object to a text object to apply the heading formats. Margins may be set by drawing vertical arrows to the top of a text object, causing a horizontal margin line to be rendered spanning the top of the text object. The arrows may be dragged horizontally to change the margins of any selected text.

Abstract: A method for text editing includes drawing a staircase object which is recognized by the software and replaced by a machine rendered staircase object. The user places alphanumeric characters adjacent to each step of the staircase object, the font, case, style, color and punctuation indicating the format of the heading of each step. An arrow is drawn from the staircase object to a text object to apply the heading formats. A graphic object such as a bullet may be assigned to any staircase heading and thereafter appear whenever the heading is evoked.

Abstract: A method for creating user-defined computer operations involves drawing an arrow in response to user input and associating at least one graphic to the arrow to designate a transaction to the arrow. The transaction is designated to the arrow after analyzing the graphic object and the arrow to determine if the transaction is valid for the arrow. The transaction may be validated or invalidated for the arrow using a second arrow. Furthermore, the second arrow may be used to modify the transaction for the arrow. The context for creating the modified transaction may be recorded for subsequent use.

Abstract: A system and method for sending and receiving electronic messages, e.g., emails, allows a user to simply draw a graphic directional indicator, e.g., an arrow, in a computer operating environment to send emails. Depending on the drawn graphic directional indicator, the entire computer operating environment or selected graphic objects in the computer operating environment can be transmitted as an electronic message.

Abstract: A method for storing, displaying, and retrieving user-selected portions of software application data, display, and functional operations includes one or more 3-D objects portrayed on a computer display. The 3-D object has various onscreen data, 3-D object, text portion, switch, video/audio clip, or the like assigned to and displayed on facets of the 3-D object. The 3-D object is rotatable about at least one axes, so that each one of the six surfaces of the 3-D object may be brought into full visualization, while two other surfaces are partially visible. A plurality of 3-D objects may be combined for functional operations among corresponding files stored on the 3-D objects.

Abstract: An improved scroll bar arrangement for a window (canvas) displayed on a computer screen includes a computer display canvas comprised of a wire frame and a scroll button (fader cap) at a side edge and/or bottom edge of the canvas. The fader cap is actuated to place scroller markers at the edge of the wire frame; each scroller marker may be activated to print the respective display at the position of the scroller marker. Scroller markers may receive assignments from within the wire frame, or from onscreen objects outside the wire frame.

Abstract: A method for transmitting media, data, and text files in a manner that minimizes the use of bandwidth and memory comprises a BSP file containing a picture of the contents, as well as links to the content of the various components. When the recipient opens the message, the total visual content and all functional objects are depicted in the message display. The recipient may interact with the displayed content and functional objects; as these interactions create a demand for more data on the message content, the BSP file is queried for links to that content, and it is transmitted from the sender, as required by the recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for sending and receiving electronic messages, e.g., emails, allows a user to simply draw a graphic directional indicator, e.g., an arrow, in a computer operating environment to send emails. Depending on the drawn graphic directional indicator, the entire computer operating environment or selected graphic objects in the computer operating environment can be transmitted as an electronic message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting power to active touch stimulating devices associated with a touch sensing apparatus. In this invention four methods of providing power supply to the touch-input device are presented. These methods are: EM induction transmission using a single loop antenna, EM induction transmission using a conductive layer, acoustic transmission through air, and acoustic transmission through an acoustic conductive layer.