Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for enabling a user to target and access information that is associated with physical locations that are spatially distant from said user. More specifically, a method and apparatus is disclosed herein for enabling enhanced accuracy of spatial targeting and information access through a multi-step triangulation process. The methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to portable information-targeting and information-accessing systems, such as a portable computing device interfaced with a positioning system such as the civilian Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) in combination with a distributed network.

Abstract: A system for enabling a person to person communication from one portable computing device to one or more other portable computing devices based upon physically pointing a portion of one portable computing device in the direction of other portable computing devices. The portable computing devices consist of a CPU, a locative sensor system, an orientation system, and an interface to a distributed network. The distributed network sends and receives data to the portable computing devices. Connected to the distributed network is a User Tracking Application (“UTA”). The User Tracking Application receives location and orientation information from each of the portable computing devices. Based on the location and orientation of the portable computing devices and via control of the users, messages and data may be sent between the devices. The User Tracking Application also allows filtering of groups of users based on particular attributes, such as, age, gender, profession, organizational affiliation, income, etc.

Abstract: A targeting location information system uses a portable computing device interfaced with a positioning system in combination with a distributed network. Targeting methods and apparatus are then used to identify a user selected location that is some distance away from the then current location of the portable computing device, the targeting methods allow the user of said portable computing device to target a specific distant location or a range of specific distant locations that is a particular distance and orientation away from said then current location of the portable computing device. Target location coordinates for a specific or range of distant locations is then transmitted to the distributed network and is used in the retrieval of corresponding location specific information. Additional information may be associated with the web page information such as priority information, object type information, context type information, or weighting information.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for intelligently selecting and playing a musical media file on a portable media player in accordance with a preestablished exercise regimen. The intelligent selection is programmatically performed as a means of establishing a desired pace for a user to maintain in accordance with the preestablished exercise regimen. The program determines an approximate footfall rate for the user to perform so as to achieve the desired pace value included in the preestablished exercise regimen, selects a musical media file from a plurality of musical media files stored in a secondary memory whose musical beat rate more closely corresponds to the determined approximate footfall rate than other of the plurality of musical media files stored in a secondary memory and plays at least a portion of the retrieved musical media file to the user as the user performs a corresponding portion of the preestablished exercise regimen.

Abstract: A variable footwear support system includes at least one rheological body within a sole of an article of footwear, control electronics within the article of footwear, and at least one E/M field generator coupled to the control electronics and arranged operably proximate to at least one rheological body. The sole is formed of a resilient material and the rheological body contains a Theological fluid having a viscosity that is variable in the presence of an energy field. The control electronics is adapted to generate at least one control signal. The at least one E/M field generator is adapted to generate an energy field corresponding to a control signal generated by the control electronics upon the rheological body.

Abstract: A point-and-send user interface is disclosed wherein a user can point a handheld unit at one of a plurality of electronic devices in a physical environment to select the electronic device and send data to it. Physical feedback can be provided to inform the user of the success and/or other status of the selection and data transfer process. A computer implemented method includes providing a handheld unit adapted to be contacted and moved by a user within a ubiquitous computing environment; receiving sensor data indicating whether the handheld unit is substantially pointed at an electronic device within a ubiquitous computing environment; determining whether an electronic device within the ubiquitous computing environment has been selected by a user based at least in part on the sensor data; and providing the user with physical feedback through the handheld unit upon determining that an electronic device within the ubiquitous computing has been selected.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus is described comprising a portable gaming system and a mobile toy vehicle connected by a wireless communications link. The mobile toy vehicle has a drive system, a video camera, a communications link, a computer system, and vehicle control software. The gaming system comprises a visual display, a user interface, a communications link, a computer system and gaming software. The gaming system can display the real-time real-world images captured by the video camera mounted on the mobile toy vehicle overlaid with simulated gaming objects and events. In this way a combined on-screen off-screen gaming experience is provided for the user that merges real-world events with simulated gaming actions. The apparatus allows for single player and multiplayer configurations.

Abstract: A method of matching an advertisement to a user engaging an interface includes identifying a plurality of advertisements; obtaining a source ambient factor, wherein the source ambient factor describes a variable condition of at least one of the user's environment and the user's body; and selecting an advertisement from the plurality of identified advertisements to be displayed to the user via an interface, the selected advertisement having a predetermined relational association with the obtained source ambient factor.

Abstract: A method of visually correlating text and speech includes receiving a source file; generating, based on the source file, a page display image including a series of text segments, the generating including rendering the series of text segments with a first set of display characteristics; receiving an input signal representing an utterance; processing the received input signal to determine whether at least a portion of a text segment included within the generated page display image has been uttered; identifying the text segment determined to have been at least partially uttered; rendering the identified text segment with a second set of display characteristics; and enabling the generated page display image to be visually represented on an output device, wherein the identified text segment is rendered with the second set of display characteristics substantially simultaneously upon receiving the input signal.

Abstract: A method of customizing a user interface with respect to a user, includes capturing biometric data of a user engaging a user interface; identifying a characteristic feature within the captured biometric data; identifying a demographic group to which the user belongs based on the characteristic feature identified; and modifying a presentation characteristic of the user interface based on the identified demographic group of the user.

Abstract: A computerized method of organizing a set of documents includes receiving a search query from a user; receiving life-context data from the user, the received life-context data identifying at least one life-context from a plurality of predetermined life-contexts in which the user's query was made; identifying a plurality of documents responsive to the search query; assigning a score to each identified document based upon a correlation between life-context usage data for each document and the received life-context data, the life-context usage data describing at least one of a number and frequency of users who have previously accessed the document and who previously accessed the document within the at least one life-context identified within the received life-context data; and organizing the documents based at least in part on the assigned score.

Abstract: A computerized method of organizing a set of documents includes receiving a search query from a user; obtaining personal background data from the user; identifying at least one personal background trait within the personal background data, the personal background trait being statistically correlated with documents that the user is likely to prefer; identifying a plurality of documents responsive to the search query; assigning a score to each identified document based upon a correlation between advanced usage information for each document and the identified personal background trait, the advanced usage information describing at least one of a number and frequency of users who have previously accessed the document who possess the identified personal background trait; and organizing the documents based at least in part on the assigned score.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of organizing a set of documents, and associated apparatus, are adapted to receive a search query from a user; obtain identified-age and/or -gender data for the user; identify a set of documents responsive to the search query; assign a score to each identified document based upon a correlation between age- and/or gender-usage data for each document and identified-age and/or -gender data, respectively; and organize the documents based at least in part on the assigned score. The identified-age data describes an age of the user and the identified-gender data describes a gender of the user. The age-usage data describes a number and/or frequency of users who previously accessed the document who are of a particular age or age range. The gender-usage data describes a number and/or frequency of users who previously accessed the document who are of a particular gender.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided which facilitates the collaborative selection and synchronous playing of digital media on a plurality of networked media players. Various embodiments of the invention provides for a plurality of media players in processing communications which enables individual users of the media players to form a collaborative group; whereby the collaborative group of users may jointly suggest, approve, reject, vote, or otherwise select the media item to be synchronously played upon their individual media players. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the media players is assigned a role of designated media coordinator.