Abstract: A method and system for control of bailment inventory is disclosed. The method includes receiving a customer identifier from a customer, receiving from the customer at least one customer item for bailment, associating the customer identifier with the at least one customer item, storing the at least one customer item, and returning the at least one customer item to the customer.

Abstract: A method for verifying and identifying users, and for verifying users' identity, by means of an authentication device capable of transmitting, receiving and recording audio or ultrasonic signals, and capable of converting the signals into digital data, and performing digital signal processing. Voice pattern(s) and user(s) information of one or more authorized user(s) are recorded and stored on the authentication device. User(s) identification is verified by inputting to the authentication device a vocal identification signal from a user, and comparing the voice pattern of the vocal identification signal with the recorded voice pattern(s) of the authorized user(s), and if a match is detected issuing an indication that the user is identified as an authorized user.

Abstract: A robotic system including at least two acoustic sensors, spaced apart, for receiving respective versions of a respective continuous ultrasonic waveform emitted by each of one or more positional elements, each of the respective continuous ultrasonic waveforms comprising a respective modulated carrier and an electromagnetic sensor for receiving a respective electromagnetic signal emitted by a respective electromagnetic emitter of a same respective one of the positional elements, and a computing device. The respective electromagnetic signal is emitted in coordination with the respective ultrasonic waveform emitted by the same positional element. The computing device decodes the versions of the ultrasonic waveform and the electromagnetic signal to measure time delays between the versions of the respective ultrasonic waveform and the respective electromagnetic signal, converts the time delays to distances, and triangulates the distances to determine positions of the positional elements.

Abstract: An apparatus that has a touchscreen, is configured to determine a response to a contact by a hand with a region of the touchscreen, and includes a first means for determining a location of a graphical projection of a digital pen onto the touchscreen, a second means for determining, via an ultrasonic wave, a first angle between a first line along an edge of the touchscreen and a second line along the graphical projection, a third means for determining a distance between the touchscreen and the digital pen, and a fourth means for determining, from the distance, the response to the contact by the hand with the region defined by the location and the first angle.

Abstract: A method and system for control of bailment inventory is disclosed. The method includes receiving a customer identifier from a customer, receiving from the customer at least one customer item for bailment, associating the customer identifier with the at least one customer item, storing the at least one customer item, and returning the at least one customer item to the customer.

Abstract: A method and system for control of bailment inventory is disclosed. The method includes receiving a customer identifier from a customer, receiving from the customer at least one customer item for bailment, associating the customer identifier with the at least one customer item, storing the at least one customer item, and returning the at least one customer item to the customer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for detecting presence of persons or objects within an environment. The apparatus and method may determine a difference in relative position between transmitters having an unknown room position. A transmitter may emit coded signals that may be detected by other transmitters within the room and properties of the coded signal can form a baseline for comparison to new signals after the baseline is established. Through the use of coded signals and relative distance location between transmitters, movement and position of persons or objects within the room may be determined.

Abstract: A robotic system including at least two acoustic sensors, spaced apart, for receiving respective versions of a respective continuous ultrasonic waveform emitted by each of one or more positional elements, each of the respective continuous ultrasonic waveforms comprising a respective modulated carrier and an electromagnetic sensor for receiving a respective electromagnetic signal emitted by a respective electromagnetic emitter of a same respective one of the positional elements, and a computing device. The respective electromagnetic signal is emitted in coordination with the respective ultrasonic waveform emitted by the same positional element. The computing device decodes the versions of the ultrasonic waveform and the electromagnetic signal to measure time delays between the versions of the respective ultrasonic waveform and the respective electromagnetic signal, converts the time delays to distances, and triangulates the distances to determine positions of the positional elements.

Abstract: A control device executing a networking framework for controlling a network of smart objects registered with a framework may interact with only those smart objects in a room. A radio frequency signal broadcast on the networking framework for reception by smart objects registered with the networking framework may cause each of the plurality of smart objects to transmit an ultrasound signal that may include an identifier, such as a generic identifier of the smart object that was assigned during registration with the network framework. The control device may receive the ultrasound signals only from the smart objects in the room. The control device may rename each smart object from which ultrasound signals were received with new identifying information that may include a reference to the room. The device may then communicate with the smart objects via the networking framework using the new identifying information.

Abstract: A position detection system for use in association with computing applications, the system comprising: a positional element for attaining a position and comprising a first emitter for emitting a substantially continuous ultrasonic waveform decodable to fix said position, and a detector arrangement for detecting said waveform in a manner permitting fixing of said position and outputting said waveform for computation, in a manner retentive of said position fixing ability.

Abstract: Implementations of the technology described herein provide a method for detecting gesture commands using an ultrasonic pen system. The system has a pen and a user device. Detection of gesture commands is based on two-dimensional gestures relative to the screen of a user device, three-dimensional gestures relative to the screen of the user device, roll/rotation around a longitudinal axis of the pen body, and micro-twisting around the longitudinal axis of the pen body. The user device receives the gestures and translates them into commands such as UNDO and BACK.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are described for obtaining user input via a stylus configured to serve as an interface for providing user input into a computing device. The computing device may obtain rotation-related information indicative of rotational position or rotational movement of the stylus about a longitudinal axis of the stylus. The computing device may identify an operation in response to the rotation-related information, and perform the identified operation.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are described for obtaining user input via a stylus configured to serve as an interface for providing user input into a computing device. The computing device may obtain rotation-related information indicative of rotational position or rotational movement of the stylus about a longitudinal axis of the stylus. The computing device may identify an operation in response to the rotation-related information, and perform the identified operation.

Abstract: A method and system for control of bailment inventory is disclosed. The method includes receiving a customer identifier from a customer, receiving from the customer at least one customer item for bailment, associating the customer identifier with the at least one customer item, storing the at least one customer item, and returning the at least one customer item to the customer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for service discovery and connection establishment of a point-to-point (e.g., device-to-device) wireless communication. Wireless devices may initiate point-to-point communication utilizing ultrasonic signals. A user may initiate a scan for one device to detect, select, and establish a connection with another device, where the scan utilizes an ultrasonic signal. Once connected, the device may create a profile with one anther and/or wirelessly communicate with one another to, for example, exchange data.

Abstract: A method and system for control of bailment inventory is disclosed. The method includes receiving a customer identifier from a customer, receiving from the customer at least one customer item for bailment, associating the customer identifier with the at least one customer item, storing the at least one customer item, and returning the at least one customer item to the customer.

Abstract: A digital pen comprising: an electric circuit, an acoustic transmitter, detached from the electric circuit, and configured to transmit acoustic signals, and a resilient holder, configured to mechanically press the electric circuit into electrical contact with the transmitter, so as to electrically connect the electric circuit and the transmitter.

Abstract: A method of communicating with an electronic device. The method includes providing an electronic device having an audible sound receiving and generating sub-system including a microphone, transmitting from a source at least one acoustic signal encoded with information, receiving said at least one acoustic signal by said microphone and determining a spatial position, distance or movement of the microphone relative to the source, responsive to the received at least one signal.

Abstract: The interactive authentication system allows a consumer to interact with a base station, such as broadcast media (e.g., television and radio) or PC, to receive coupons, special sales offers, and other information with an electronic card. The electronic card can also be used to transmit a signal that can be received by the base station to perform a wide variety of tasks. These tasks can include launching an application, authenticating a user at a website, and completing a sales transaction at a website (e.g., by filling out a form automatically). The interaction between the base station and the electronic card is accomplished by using the conventional sound system in the base station so that a special reader hardware need not be installed to interact with the electronic card. The user is equipped with an electronic card that can receive and transmit data via sound waves. In the various embodiments, the sound waves can be audible or ultrasonic (which can be slightly audible to some groups of people).

Abstract: A MEMS microphone comprising: a) a case with an open front side; b) a MEMS membrane mounted on one face of a base, the base being mounted inside the case on a substantially closed side; and c) a mesh covering the front side, substantially transparent acoustically to at least some of a range of operating frequencies at which the microphone is sensitive.