Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to cause them to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, the light sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured by the camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detected back to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, the first device can determine which other device detected the indicator that it displayed and therefore determine that this device is in close physical proximity to it. In an example, the first device is an interactive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses of devices which are placed on the surface.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can preprocess audio portions of communications in order to enrich multiparty communication sessions or environments. In particular, the architecture can provide both a public channel for public communications that are received by substantially all connected parties and can further provide a private channel for private communications that are received by a selected subset of all connected parties. Most particularly, the architecture can apply an audio transform to communications that occur during the multiparty communication session based upon a target audience of the communication. By way of illustration, the architecture can apply a whisper transform to private communications, an emotion transform based upon relationships, an ambience or spatial transform based upon physical locations, or a pace transform based upon lack of presence.

Abstract: Font animation technique embodiments are presented which animate alpha-numeric characters of a message or document. In one general embodiment this is accomplished by the sender transmitting parametric information and animation instructions pertaining to the display of characters found in the message or document to a recipient. The parametric information identifies where to split the characters and where to rotate the resulting sections. The sections of each character affected are then translated and/or rotated and/or scaled as dictated by the animation instructions to create an animation over time. Additionally, if a gap in a stroke of an animated character exists between the sections of the character, a connecting section is displayed to close the stroke gap making the character appears contiguous.

Abstract: An interactive surface computer with a switchable diffuser layer is described. The switchable layer has two states: a transparent state and a diffusing state. When it is in its diffusing state, a digital image is displayed and when the layer is in its transparent state, an image can be captured through the layer. In an embodiment, a projector is used to project the digital image onto the layer in its diffusing state and optical sensors are used for touch detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to cause them to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, the light sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured by the camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detected back to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, the first device can determine which other device detected the indicator that it displayed and therefore determine that this device is in close physical proximity to it. In an example, the first device is an interactive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses of devices which are placed on the surface.

Abstract: User input devices and methods for use in scrolling with a computing device are provided. One disclosed user input device includes a housing, a control surface coupled to the housing and configured to be manipulated by a digit of the user, and a flywheel operatively coupled to the control surface, such that motion of the digit of the user on the control surface is transferred to the flywheel. The flywheel may be a mechanical flywheel operated by a scroll wheel on which the control surface is positioned, or a virtual flywheel implemented by a computer program and operated by a pressure sensitive input device on which the control surface is positioned.

Abstract: Existing remote workspace sharing systems are difficult to use. For example, changes made on a common work product by one user often appear abruptly on displays viewed by remote users. As a result the interaction is perceived as unnatural by the users and is often inefficient. Images of a display of a common work product are received from a camera at a first location. These images may also comprise information about objects between the display and the camera such as a user's hand editing a document on a tablet PC. These images are combined with images of the shared work product and displayed at remote locations. Advance information about remote user actions is then visible and facilitates collaborative mediation between users. Depth information may be used to influence the process of combining the images.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides a pen based computer user with a graphical user interface tool, a pen-mouse, that looks like and functions like a mouse but that is controlled by a limited input device such as a pen or stylus of the pen based computer. The pen-mouse is a tracking menu that tracks the position of the pen. A pen cursor that corresponds to the pen is allowed to be moved about within the pen-mouse graphic by the pen and the pen-mouse remains stationary. The pen-mouse is moved when the location of the pen encounters a tracking boundary of the pen-mouse. The tracking boundary typically coincides with the graphic representing the mouse. While moving within the pen-mouse, the pen can select objects within the pen-mouse body, such as buttons, wheels, etc. The selection of a button or other virtual control causes a corresponding computer mouse button function to be executed.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides a pen based computer user with a graphical user interface tool, a pen-mouse, that looks like and functions like a mouse but that is controlled by a limited input device such as a pen or stylus of the pen based computer. The pen-mouse is a tracking menu that tracks the position of the pen. A pen cursor that corresponds to the pen is allowed to be moved about within the pen-mouse graphic by the pen and the pen-mouse remains stationary. The pen-mouse is moved when the location of the pen encounters a tracking boundary of the pen-mouse. The tracking boundary typically coincides with the graphic representing the mouse. While moving within the pen-mouse, the pen can select objects within the pen-mouse body, such as buttons, wheels, etc. The selection of a button or other virtual control causes a corresponding computer mouse button function to be executed.

Abstract: A system with a graphical user interface displayed on a display. The graphical user interface may have a first interface element and a second interface element. The first interface element may be automatically reoriented relative to the display in accordance with a change to orientation/location information that corresponds to a change to a spatial orientation/location relative to the display. The second interface element may be allowed to remain in a same orientation relative to the display regardless of or independent of the change to the orientation/location relative to the display. One or more elements may orient to one or more different users.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that provides a pen based computer user with a graphical user interface tool, a pen-mouse, that looks like and functions like a mouse but that is controlled by a limited input device such as a pen or stylus of the pen based computer. The pen-mouse is a tracking menu that tracks the position of the pen. A pen cursor that corresponds to the pen is allowed to be moved about within the pen-mouse graphic by the pen and the pen-mouse remains stationary. The pen-mouse is moved when the location of the pen encounters a tracking boundary of the pen-mouse. The tracking boundary typically coincides with the graphic representing the mouse. While moving within the pen-mouse, the pen can select objects within the pen-mouse body, such as buttons, wheels, etc. The selection of a button or other virtual control causes a corresponding computer mouse button function to be executed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of fluorinated polymeric surface treatment agents in electrochemical applications, particularly in the manufacture of fuel cell components.

Abstract: An improved nozzle arrangement for use in a cooling zone of a rolling mill is formed completely of plastic, preferably ABS plastic, and includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical hollow body portion that defines an longitudinally extending conduit having a cooling fluid intake port that smoothly converges into an internal flow channel of an integrally formed head portion that is provided with a cooling fluid outlet port. An elongated baffle member is positioned within the cylindrical body portion and extends substantially the entire length thereof. The baffle member itself is formed of a unitary plastic member, also preferably ABS plastic, and has a X-shaped cross-section. Constructing the nozzle of plastic saves considerable replacement costs associated with the use of such nozzles in rolling mills and also enables the nozzles to be recycled. In addition, due to the specific construction of the nozzle, laminar flow is assured which enhances its cooling function.