Abstract: A method of operating a computing system that includes a display for rendered graphical images and an electronic tag reader configured to read an identifier of the electronic tag providing signals indicating target regions within images presented by the display. The method includes presenting a start image on the display, wherein the start image includes a first surface perceptible as viewed from a start viewpoint within a three-dimensional data space, receiving an identifier from an electronic tag indicating a target image, and presenting the target image on the display.

Abstract: A device supporting a user interface includes a feedback module for presenting information related to a data structure and a processor for controlling the feedback module and the data structure. The device also has a detector for determining handedness of a user, allowing modification of the displayed data structure based on handedness of a user.

Abstract: A system for identification and tracking of tags distributed in a room, wherein the system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator to produce a local electromagnetic spike, a tag reactive to the local electromagnetic spike to provide a data signal, a data receiver for receiving the data signal, and a tag tracking system receiving input from the electromagnetic pulse generator and the data receiver, the tag tracking system storing state records of position and informational content of the tag.

Abstract: Two previously virtual concepts, such as, for example, the concept of “me” and the concept of “my data” are reified into physical objects which can be physically manipulated and interact with legacy technologies such as, for example, desktop or portable computers. In one exemplary embodiment, a portable computing device in the form of an animal, such as, for example, a bear, with a manipulatable user interface, is used to log onto and off of various computers.

Abstract: A palmtop computer for entering characters using one or more input modes. In one example, a physical sensor is coupled to select the input mode. The physical sensor may be in the form of a button, rocker switch, dial, pressure strip, moveable bar, or accelerometer mounted to the device. The physical sensor may also be mounted to a pen. In another example, a ridge is formed on the digitizer pad and positioned to define input regions associated with particular input mode. In another example, a border is formed around the digitizer pad. The border includes a ridge coupled to select the input mode. The digitizer pad may also be textured. A first textured region is associated with one input mode and a second textured region is associated with another input mode.

Abstract: A virtual interface is provided which allows a user to navigate through a representation of a physical target area, such as an office, school or home environment. Using the virtual interface, a user can alter the configuration of a system which transmits information to users via peripheral or background auditory cues in response to physical actions of the users in the environments.

Abstract: A bistable flap array display in which flaps selectively cover portions of a background substrate in response to fluid flow and a flap catchment mechanism, each flap rendering at least one pixel of the display. The catchment mechanism can be electrostatically based and the fluid can reduce the charge required to operate the catchment mechanism by creating a partial vacuum that lifts the flaps until the flow can impinge on the flap directly.

Abstract: A system for identifying multiple electronic tags that includes a plurality of electronic tags attachable to a single object, each electronic tag having a non-overlapping readable region, and each electronic tag having a unique identifier. One or more electronic tag readers are configured to read the unique identifier of each electronic tag within the non-overlapping readable region, and a computing system is connected to the electronic tag reader to provide digital services in response to reading the unique identifier of each electronic tag. In certain embodiments, the electronic tags can have integral sensor systems that detect, for example, light, location, acceleration, or other physical properties, allowing provision of particular digital services related to the sensed properties.

Abstract: A system for N-space navigation of digital data sets comprising an electronic tag having a digitally readable identifier, an electronic tag reader configured to read the identifier of the electronic tag, and a computing system connected to the electronic tag reader to provide digital navigation services of N-space data sets in response to reading the unique identifier of each electronic tag.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing the transmission of information to users—via peripheral, or background, auditory cues—in response to the physical action of the users in a particular environment, e.g., the workplace. The system combines three known technologies: active badges, distributed systems, and digital audio delivered via portable wireless headphones.

Abstract: A Unistrokes symbollogy in which strokes of like profile (i.e., strokes that are distinguished from each other by their rotational orientation) are rotationally offset from each other by at least 90° is provided. This provides a sufficient tolerance for disambiguating these strokes when they are written into hand-held pen computers and the like by users having widely divergent hand writing styles.

Abstract: A system that identifies multiple electronic tags includes a plurality of electronic tags attachable to a single object, each electronic tag having a non-overlapping readable region, and each electronic tag having a unique identifier. One or more electronic tag readers are configured to read the unique identifier of each electronic tag within the non-overlapping readable region. A computing system is connected to the electronic tag reader to provide digital services in response to reading the unique identifier of each electronic tag. In certain embodiments, the electronic tags can have integral sensor systems that detect, for example, light, location, acceleration, or other physical properties, allowing provision of particular digital services related to the sensed properties.

Abstract: A Unistrokes symbollogy in which strokes of like profile (i.e., strokes that are distinguished from each other by their rotational orientation) are rotationally offset from each other by at least 90° is provided. This provides a sufficient tolerance for disambiguating these strokes when they are written into hand-held pen computers and the like by users having widely divergent hand writing styles.

Abstract: A tileable computer display includes a first device having a processor and a display maintainable in communication with a second device having a processor and a display. Specific data to be displayed on both devices is based on respective spatial positions of the first device and second device relative to each other. Communication links can be through radio, optical, or physical interconnects.

Abstract: A system for identifying multiple electronic tags that include a plurality of electronic tags attachable to a single object, each electronic tag having a unique identifier. One or more electronic tag readers are configured to read the unique identifier of each electronic tag within the non-overlapping readable region, and a computing system is connected to the electronic tag reader to provide digital services in response to reading the unique identifier of each electronic tag.

Abstract: An enhanced information collage that combines a computational system with a physical information collage to preserve the advantages of conventional information collages while alleviating many problems associated with such collages. A physical information collage (e.g. a pin board with spatially differentiated pin mounted task cards, each card having a detectable identity tag) can be made part of a computational system by sensing the identity, position, and contents of the collage component artifacts. In effect, each collage component has its content and position stored in a database, with movement of a particular component resulting in update of the database to record the new position of that component. Further provided are Operator Icon components which may be used to provide digital services, such as combining, erasing, saving, or transferring, to other collage components.

Abstract: A plurality of multiple interacting computer devices for transferring data includes a first device having a processor and a first wireless communication module for transferring data, a second device having a processor and a second wireless communication module for transferring data, and a third device having a processor and a third wireless communication module for transferring data. When the first device is connected in substantially simultaneous wireless communication with the second device and the third device, specific data based on respective spatial positions of the first device, second device, and third device can be transferred.

Abstract: A method for inputting information to a revolvable device, optionally connected to a deformable piece includes the steps of rotating, spinning, or revolvably orienting the deformable piece to provide a first morpheme input to the device. The first morpheme input normally triggers a first default action by the device, such as controlling a display, modifying a data structure, or communicating with another electronic device. When a user asynchronously manipulates the deformable piece to provide a second morpheme input to the device, the second morpheme input converts the normally triggered first default action to a second action generally not equivalent to the first default action. This mode of interaction allows formation of morphemic sentences to control a graspable device.

Abstract: A positioning system including a light source, infrared beacon and controller. The infrared beacon broadcasts a signal. The positioning system may be used with a portable computing device.

Abstract: A method for inputting information to a device connected to a deformable piece includes the steps of manipulating the deformable piece to provide a first morpheme input to the device. The first morpheme input normally triggers a first default action by the device, such as controlling a display, modifying a data structure, or communicating with another electronic device. When a user asynchronously manipulates the deformable piece to provide a second morpheme input to the device, the second morpheme input converts the normally triggered first default action to a second action generally not equivalent to the first default action. This mode of interaction allows formation of morphemic sentences to control a graspable device.