Abstract: A hand held device for generating commands and transferring data between the hand-held device and a base device (including consumer electronic equipment). The hand-held device detects the motion of the device itself, interpreting the motion as a command, and executing or transferring the command. The motion of the device can include gestures made by the user while holding the device, such as the motion of throwing the hand-held device toward a base device. The commands generated by the user range from basic on/off commands to complex processes, such as the transfer of data. In one embodiment, the user can train the device to learn new motions associated with existing or new commands. The hand-held device analyzes the basic components of the motion to create a motion model such that the motion can be uniquely identified in the future.

Abstract: Simple gestures such as stroking or tapping of a surface (10) can be used to control common functions of electronic systems (16) by positioning one or more sensors (12) on the surface and detecting sounds generated by the interaction with the surface. Signals corresponding to detected sounds are filtered and interpreted either in the system to be controlled or else in the sensors themselves. The direction of movement of a hand (18) stroking the surface can be interpreted as a command to increase or decrease a parameter, such as the sound volume level of a television, for example. Determination of the position of the user's hand is unnecessary. The apparatus is therefore simple, inexpensive, robust and discrete, requiring only a minimum of installation and without being necessarily dedicated to a particular electronic system to be controlled.

Abstract: An interactive method and system include at least one detector (210) configured to detect the position of at least one user (240) in proximity of a panel (205), such as a transparent panel of a shop window (205). A processor (120) is provided which may be configured to activate a portion of the panel to display information. This portion, referred to as a private screen (230), may be substantially near the user's position. The processor (120) may be further be configured to move the private screen (230) so that it follows movement of the user (120). When a second user (245) is detected, then a second private screen (235) is activated substantially near the second user (245). The location of the second private screen (235) relative the location of the first screen (230) is such that interference is reduced between the two users or screens.

Abstract: In this disclosure a new type of pen is described which is able to modulate the trace of the pen in response to a sensory signal of the user, such as for example skin conductance or respiration. As is known, these types of sensory signals represent the mood of the user. By changing the trace of the pen from for example blue to red, a change in mood of the user can be expressed.

Abstract: A highlighting method and an interaction system (100) include a switchable mirror (110) facing a first side of an item (120) having a second side facing a viewer (130); and a processor (220) configured to perform switching the mirror from a transparent or non-transparent state to a reflective state so that said first side of said item (120) becomes visible to the viewer (130) through reflection from the switchable mirror (110). A light source (170) is configured to provide incident light to the switchable mirror (110) for reflection from the switchable mirror (110) in the reflective state for illuminating the first side of the item (120).

Abstract: A highlighting method and an interaction system (100) include at least one controllable light emitting source (110) linked to an item (120); and a processor (140) configured to turn on the controllable light emitting source (110) in response to user selection of the item (120). The controllable light emitting source (110) may be embedded in a mat (210) or a strip (430). The mat (210) may include a matrix of photo detectors or pressure sensors configured to detect the base or footprint of the item (120) when placed on the mat (210). The periphery of the product or the footprint may be illuminated upon selecting the product. Alternatively or additionally, a background surface behind the product may be illuminated upon selection thereof.

Abstract: A composition intended to be applied on a surface and having an appearance controllable by an external field is disclosed. The composition comprises: a plurality of field responsive particles with a particle appearance, and a liquid with a liquid appearance, the liquid appearance being distinct from the particle appearance, the liquid being disposed to fixate the plurality of field responsive particles, the composition being disposed such that if the external field is applied to the composition, the field responsive particles are affected with a force being distinct from surrounding liquid.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device such as a wrist watch (60) is supplied with conventional clock with two pointers (32,33). The device displays a parameter indicative of how “cool” the wearer has been over the past period as a function of time, using the time axis of one of the pointers (32,33). “Coolness” can be based on the measurement of related physiological parameters like heart-rate, body temperature, movement, skin resistance or muscle activity. “Coolness” of a person is understood as being the ability to cope with stress. Therefore, the stability of physiological parameters can be used to derive a signal for the subjective trait called “coolness”. All physiological parameters can be measured by sensors (10) in the watch (60) or in the strap (50). The invention is used as a gadget for self expression and emotional feedback.

Abstract: A wireless die (2) comprises an orientation detector (4) for determining an orientation of the die (2) and a transmitter (5) connected to the orientation detector (4) for transmitting die (2) orientation data to the receiver (3). The orientation detector (4) comprises at least two electromechanical detectors (6), the electromechanical detectors (6) being arranged for generating electrical power for the orientation detector (4) and transmitter (5), and for supplying gravity based orientation data.

Abstract: A hand held device fur generating commands and transferring data between the hand-held device and a base device (including consumer electronic equipment). The hand-held device detects the motion of the device itself, interpreting the motion as a command, and executing or transferring the command. The motion of the device can include gestures made by the user while holding the device, such as the motion of throwing the hand-held device toward a base device. The commands generated by the user range from basic on/off commands to complex processes, such as the transfer of data. In one embodiment, the user can train the device to learn new motions associated with existing or new commands. The hand-held device analyzes the basic components of the motion to create a motion model such that the motion can be uniquely identified in the future.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a person having an interest to an object. The method comprising steps of: (210) providing a data processor (111) for obtaining interaction data related to a remote interaction between the person and at least one of a plurality of the objects (131, 132, 133), (240) using the data processor for analysis of the interaction data to identify a particular one of the objects (133), to which the person has the interest, and (250) obtaining additional data related to the particular object for informing the person about the particular object. The analysis of the interaction data may comprise a step (220) of identifying a remote location where the interest of the person is focused, and a step (230) of determining locations of the objects with respect to the remote location.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle accessory (30, 40, 50, 60) for enhancing smells within a vehicle (10). The accessory (30, 40, 50, 60) comprises: (a) sensors (30, 40) for sensing at least one of visual objects and smells present in an environment (20) surrounding the vehicle (10) and generating corresponding sensor signals; (b) a processor (50) for receiving the sensor signals and analysing them for detecting the presence of one or more sensed objects and/or one or more sensed smells in the environment (20), the processor (50) being operable to filter a subset of the one or more sensed objects and/or one or more sensed smells; and (c) an odour source (60) coupled to the processor (50) for receiving instructions there from to generate and release into the vehicle (10) one or more smells corresponding to the subset of the one or more sensed objects and/or one or more sensed smells.

Abstract: A device and method having a stationary radiation source for directing polychromatic radiation such that the radiation is incident on a sample to be inspected in parallel or diverging rays, and a position-sensitive, energy-sensitive detector for measuring components of the radiation reflected by the sample thereby providing for the efficient and effective inspection of the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising user operable control means for controlling the apparatus, detection means for detecting an object and determining an identity of said object, and associating means for associating control options with said identity, the control means being operable to apply said control options in response to the detection means detecting and identifying said object.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reflectometric analysis of samples. As opposed to conventional methods where a very small area of the sample is analyzed by irradiation by means of focused radiation and the reflected radiation is measured by position-sensitive detection, the invention utilizes a parallel or a diverging beam so as to irradiate a larger area of the sample simultaneously and also utilizes position-sensitive and energy-sensitive detection so as to derive information concerning a plurality of spots of the irradiated area of the sample at the same time.