Abstract: A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink.

Abstract: Biometric data are produced in response to user input to an interactive display. The user input occurs when the interactive display senses a user input proximate to an interactive display surface that is able to respond to simultaneous multiple inputs. A detection signal based on a user input is processed to identify biometric indicia associated with the user input. User input can be by any biometric entity, such as an animal—not just by a human. Based on the biometric indicia identified, user biometric data are produced. The user biometric data includes parameters describing physical characteristics associated with the portion of the user that provided the user input. The biometric data can be compared to stored biometric data associated with a specific user and/or user profile, e.g., to enable access by the user to an account, and can also be employed to provide other functions, such sizing information, to applications.

Abstract: A method of tracking data through a multi-tier computing architecture includes initializing a first row pointer of a dataset with data form a database, placing changes to the data in the second row pointer of the dataset, comparing the first and second row pointers, and declaring a state of the data in response to comparing the first and second row pointers. A system for tracking data through a multi-tier architecture includes an initialize module, a change module, a compare module, and a declare module. The initialize module initializes a first row pointer of a dataset with data from a database. The change module places changes to the data in a second row pointer of the dataset. The compare module compares the first and second row pointers. The declare module declares a state of the data in response to comparing the first and second row pointers.

Abstract: Biometric data are produced in response to user input to an interactive display. The user input occurs when the interactive display senses a user input proximate to an interactive display surface that is able to respond to simultaneous multiple inputs. A detection signal based on a user input is processed to identify biometric indicia associated with the user input. User input can be by any biometric entity, such as an animal—not just by a human. Based on the biometric indicia identified, user biometric data are produced. The user biometric data includes parameters describing physical characteristics associated with the portion of the user that provided the user input. The biometric data can be compared to stored biometric data associated with a specific user and/or user profile, e.g., to enable access by the user to an account, and can also be employed to provide other functions, such sizing information, to applications.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink.

Abstract: A light pointer is selectively activated to direct a light beam onto an interactive display surface, forming a pattern of light that is detected by a light sensor disposed within an interactive display table. The waveband of the light produced by the light pointer is selected to correspond to a waveband to which the light sensor responds, enabling the light sensor to detect the position of the pattern on the interactive display surface, as well as characteristics that enable the location and orientation of the light pointer to be determined. Specifically, the shape and size of the pattern, and the intensity of light forming the pattern are detected by the light sensor and are processed to determine the orientation of the light pointer and its distance from the interactive display surface. The pattern may comprise various shapes, such as circles, arrows, and crosshairs.

Abstract: A method of tracking data through a multi-tier computing architecture includes initializing a first row pointer of a dataset with data form a database, placing changes to the data in the second row pointer of the dataset, comparing the first and second row pointers, and declaring a state of the data in response to comparing the first and second row pointers. A system for tracking data through a multi-tier architecture includes an initialize module, a change module, a compare module, and a declare module. The initialize module initializes a first row pointer of a dataset with data from a database. The change module places changes to the data in a second row pointer of the dataset. The compare module compares the first and second row pointers. The declare module declares a state of the data in response to comparing the first and second row pointers.

Abstract: A method of tracking data through a multi-tier computing architecture includes initializing a first row pointer of a dataset with data form a database, placing changes to the data in the second row pointer of the dataset, comparing the first and second row pointers, and declaring a state of the data in response to comparing the first and second row pointers. A system for tracking data through a multi-tier architecture includes an initialize module, a change module, a compare module, and a declare module. The initialize module initializes a first row pointer of a dataset with data from a database. The change module places changes to the data in a second row pointer of the dataset. The compare module compares the first and second row pointers. The declare module declares a state of the data in response to comparing the first and second row pointers.

Abstract: Architecture for developing an application. The architecture provides an entry point to commonly used classes of an application development framework. A developer begins a project which predefines a set of collection classes. An exposer component includes an identifier component and a compiler for generating accessors to the collected classes. The identifier uses an attribute on a collection class which a compiler dynamically extracts in order to generate accessors to the desired collected classes and compiles the generated collection classes for use in the namespace.

Abstract: A first exemplary method implementation for designing an application programming interface (API) includes: preparing multiple code samples for a core scenario, each respective code sample of the multiple code samples corresponding to a respective programming language of multiple programming languages; and deriving the API from the core scenario responsive to the multiple code samples. A second exemplary method for designing an API includes: selecting a core scenario for a feature area; writing at least one code sample for the core scenario; and deriving an API for the core scenario responsive to the at least one code sample. A third exemplary method for designing an API includes: deriving an API for a scenario responsive to at least one code sample written with regard to the scenario; performing one or more usability studies on the API utilizing multiple developers; and revising the API based on the one or more usability studies.