Abstract: A brainwave actuated apparatus has a brainwave sensor for outputting a brainwave signal, an effector responsive to an input signal, and a controller operatively connected to an output of said brainwave sensor and a control input to said effector. The controller is adapted to determine characteristics of a brainwave signal output by said brainwave sensor and based on said characteristics, derive a control signal to output to said effector.

Abstract: A fluid user interface is presented for applications such as immersive multimedia. In one embodiment, one or more sprays or jets create an immersive multimedia environment in which a participant can interact within the immersive multimedia environment by blocking, partially blocking, diverting, or otherwise engaging with a fluid, to create computational input. When the fluid is air, a keyboard can be implemented on cushions of air coming out of various nozzles or jets. When the fluid is water, the invention may be used in environments such as showers, baths, hot tubs, waterplay areas, gardens, and the like to create a fun, playful, or wet user-interface. In some embodiments, the spraying is computationally controlled, so that the spray creates a tactile user-interface for the control of such devices as new musical instruments. These may be installed in public fountains to result in a fluid user interface to music by playing in the fountains.

Abstract: A brainwave actuated apparatus has a brainwave sensor for outputting a brainwave signal, an effector responsive to an input signal, and a controller operatively connected to an output of said brainwave sensor and a control input to said effector. The controller is adapted to determine characteristics of a brainwave signal output by said brainwave sensor and based on said characteristics, derive a control signal to output to said effector.

Abstract: A fluid user interface is presented for applications such as immersive multimedia. In one embodiment, one or more sprays or jets create an immersive multimedia environment in which a participant can interact within the immersive multimedia environment by blocking, partially blocking, diverting, or otherwise engaging with a fluid, to create computational input. When the fluid is air, a keyboard can be implemented on cushions of air coming out of various nozzles or jets. When the fluid is water, the invention may be used in environments such as showers, baths, hot tubs, waterplay areas, gardens, and the like to create a fun, playful, or wet user-interface. In some embodiments, the spraying is computationally controlled, so that the spray creates a tactile user-interface for the control of such devices as new musical instruments. These may be installed in public fountains to result in a fluid user interface to music by playing in the fountains.

Abstract: A fluid user interface is presented for applications such as immersive multimedia. In one embodiment, one or more sprays or jets create an immersive multimedia environment in which a participant can interact within the immersive multimedia environment by blocking, partially blocking, diverting, or otherwise engaging with a fluid, to create computational input. When the fluid is air, a keyboard can be implemented on cusions of air coming out of various nozzles or jets. When the fluid is water, the invention may be used in environments such as showers, baths, hot tubs, waterplay areas, gardens, and the like to create a fun, playful, or wet user-interface. In some embodiments, the spraying is computationally controlled, so that the spray creates a tactile user-interface for the control of such devices as new musical instruments. These may be installed in public fountains to result in a fluid user interface to music by playing in the fountains.

Abstract: Terrorist attacks, threats, or hoaxes, in which there is the possibility of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) attacks, disease, terrorism, civil unrest, disobedience, hostage standoffs, or the like, may require large numbers of victims and suspected cases to be processed through mass decontamination lines prior to mass casualty care. Perpetrators may also attempt to lose themselves in large crowds and hide among the victims, or among bystanders, when the crime scene is cordoned off by the authorities. Accordingly, an evidence collection station is disclosed, along with a method of collecting evidence as victims and suspected cases process through decontamination lines. The evidence collection system preferably includes the collection of videometric and biometric data, along with the tracking of physical evidence recovered from victims and suspected cases.

Abstract: A novel system for a new kind of electronic news gathering and videography is described. In particular, a camera that captures light passing through the center of a lens of an eye of the user is described. Such an electronic newsgathering system allows the eye itself to, in effect, function as a camera. In wearable embodiments of the invention, a journalist wearing the apparatus becomes, after adaptation, an entity that seeks, without conscious thought or effort, an optimal point of vantage and camera orientation. Moreover, the journalist can easily become part of a human intelligence network, and draw upon the intellectual resources and technical photographic skills of a large community. Because of the journalist's ability to constantly see the world through the apparatus of the invention, which may also function as an image enhancement device, the apparatus behaves as a true extension of the journalist's mind and body, giving rise to a new genre of documentary video.

Abstract: A vehicle is controlled by a sensor such as an EyeTap device or a headworn camera., so that the vehicle drives in whatever direction the driver looks. The vehicle may be a small radio controlled car or airplane or helicopter driven of flown by a person outside the car or plane, or the vehicle may be a car, plane, or helicopter, or the like, driven or flown by a person sitting inside it. A differential direction system allows a person's head position to be compared to the position of the vehicle, to bring the difference in orientations to a zero, and a near zero difference may be endowed with a deliberate drift toward a zero difference. Preferably at least one of the sensors (preferably a headworn sensor) is a video camera. Preferably the sensor difference drifts toward zero when the person is going along a straight path, so that the head position for going straight ahead will not drift away from being straight ahead.

Abstract: Anthrax is an often fatal infectious disease arising from Bacillus anthracis bacteria spores. A safe and secure mail delivery system helps to bring about a future where packages are delivered on time, crime (terrorism, etc.) is low, and morale is high. In one embodiment, biometric verification of recipients ensures packages are not delivered to the wrong recipient. Preferably the sender can visually verify the recipient's identity, as well as visually track the manner in which the package is handled. Preferably the package cannot be handled or even touched by the mail carrier, but can be handled by security forces, officers, or by the recipient, by virtue of a mail carrying housing (such as a briefcase) that can be opened by anyone except the person carrying it. Preferably the housing comprises a fingerprint scanner, or a vaccination chip reader, that can be programmed so that the carrier cannot open it.

Abstract: Means, apparatus, and method of automatic evidence collection of health hazards such as heart irregularities, slip and fall accidents, or the like, assists the elderly, the visually impaired, or the like, in notifying for emergency assistance, as well as retroactively capturing evidence of the situations that led to the accident, and possibly also automatically serving, or assisting in the serving of notice to parties potentially responsible. In one embodiment a wearable camera system collects evidence of a slip-and-fall incident and the conditions that led up to the incident. In another embodiment, a wearable camera system documents the environmental conditions that might have contributed to cardiac stress, as captured by a heart monitor.

Abstract: A wearable or carryable means typically for being owned, operated, and controlled by an individual buyer allows a purchase to be directed, at least in some parameters, by the buyer. The seller may be a representative of a large organization. The apparatus enables collegial identification of officials representing a seller organization. The invention provides an incidentalist identificational procedure, so that legitimate officials are not offered by a buyer using the invention when the buyer might otherwise be perceived as disrespectful by demanding identification from the seller. The apparatus also allows the buyer to select and control the advertisements displayed to the buyer, rather than leaving this matter up to the sole discretion of the seller.

Abstract: Persons such as travellers in an airport are given an opportunity to remove themselves from being under suspicion of terrorism or the like. Persons are provided with one or more opportunities to reveal information about themselves by way of a personal disclosure that would normally be unacceptably invasive if such disclosure were mandatory. The nature of the personal disclosure is such that almost all persons frequently choose to make such a disclosure in their ordinary day-to-day lives, but would be offended if required to make the same disclosure. In one embodiment, persons are given an opportunity to use an airport lounge spa facility with separate showers, saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpool baths, for men and women. Clothing is safely held (and possibly inspected) by locker room attendants while patrons are using the spa.

Abstract: A novel means and apparatus for a new kind of photography and videography is described. In particular, a wearable camera with a viewfinder suitable for long-term use is introduced. The system, in effect, absorbs and quantifies rays of light and processes this quantigraphic information on a small wearable computer system, then the processed information is re-constituted into light rays emerging to reconstruct the virtual image of objects at nearly the same position in space, or at a coordinate transformed position, as viewed by the wearer of the apparatus. The wearer of the apparatus becomes, after adaptation, an entity that seeks, without conscious thought or effort, an optimal point of vantage and camera orientation.

Abstract: A portable personal safety device or a method of doing business by providing appropriate services, networks, or the like for the device, which has a possibility or the perception of a possibility of being monitored by an entity outside of the user's control, is disclosed. Preferably the user either does not know whether or not this possibility is fulfilled, or can credibly deny knowing whether or not this possibility is fulfilled. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a conspicuously concealing container with optical properties suitable for a video camera, the actual presence of which is, in at least one mode of operation, unknowable by the user, or can be credibly alleged by the user to be unknowable or unknown by the user. In one embodiment, the device affords the user with a nonconfrontational or collegial means of asserting fear of accountability, uncertainty, or doubt on persons exerting physical or other coercive force, or the threat or possibility thereof, upon the user of the invention.

Abstract: A new kind of display means and apparatus called an aremac is provided. The aremac may either be worn upon the body, such as in a pair of eyeglasses, where it can direct light into an eye of the wearer of the apparatus, or it may be located together with a fixed camera to direct light onto a three dimensional scene or objects. The typical application of the aremac is that of collaborative photography, in which a remote director assists a photographer in composing a picture, or arranging lighting in a photographic studio while the remote director remotely views the scene through the photographer's camera.

Abstract: Image sensors, processors, and control systems facilitate automatic sensor operated bathroom fixtures, systems for controlling bathroom fixtures, and methods of bathroom fixture design, control, and management, as well as the control and management of hygiene and water resources. The networked plumbing systems also help facility managers and law enforcement personnel monitor the operation of various bathrooms in a facility or at remote facilities. Image sensors are used for controlling several showers, faucets, urinals, or water closets in large bathroom complexes. Image based intelligent bathroom fixtures and systems help enhance the privacy of users by ensuring that law abiding users need not be disturbed by police foot patrols into the restroom areas, or by security guards entering simply to make inspections. An aquionics bathroom control system of the invention maintains the cleanliness, safety, security, and privacy of the occupants in a smart bathroom environment.