Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for the contemporaneous creation of a digital copy of a written document using a self-contained, hand-held communications device. The self-contained device functions as a writing device and as a digital documenter. It allows for maintenance of position sense within a document thus enabling the user to write cursive, print, draw, write mathematical formulas, draw symbols, punctuate, edit and the like. The invention discloses a self-contained apparatus and method for determining position sense without reliance on special paper, pads, or attachments to the document. The system provides position sense during writing by quantitative comparative analysis of serial images of the surface imperfections of the document. Character generation is discriminated from noncharacter-generating positional changes such as spacing between words. Encryption of data output from the device provides privacy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control knob on a device that allows a user to control functions of the device. In one embodiment, the knob is rotatable in a rotary degree of freedom and moveable in at least one transverse direction approximately perpendicular to the axis. An actuator is coupled to the knob to output a force in the rotary degree of freedom about the axis, thus providing force feedback. In a different embodiment, the knob is provided with force feedback in a rotary degree of freedom about an axis and is also moveable in a linear degree of freedom approximately parallel to the axis, allowing the knob to be pushed and/or pulled by the user. The device controlled by the knob can be a variety of types of devices, such as an audio device, video device, etc. The device can also include a display providing an image updated in response to manipulation of the knob.

Abstract: Combination of a message board and computer equipment for conveniently writing and/or maintaining notes while working on or near a computer. The message board can be written and rewritten upon, used to post paper notes or photographs, or both. The message board is attached to the perimeter or side of the computer monitor or case, or used in conjunction with the keyboard or mouse. The message board can be made of traditional materials, or erasable and malleable metals or plastics, such as acrylic.

Abstract: A display apparatus and an assembly of a driving circuit for the display apparatus having a display device, a film carrier with a lead to transfer a signal for driving the display device, and a bus board to supply a signal to the lead. A dummy lead is provided along the outside of each of an input side outer lead and an output side outer lead of the film carrier. A predetermined voltage is applied to the dummy leads. The predetermined voltage value is set to a value so as not to stationarily cause a DC bias for the voltage of the outer lead on the outside.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display realizes high resolution without enlarging a frame area of an array substrate in the display. The display connects analog switch pairs each consisting of a p-TFT and an n-TFT to signal lines, respectively. Among the TFTs, those having the same polarity and connected to adjacent signal lines are provided with drain electrodes that are connected to a video bus through a common contact hole. Sharing the contact holes among the TFTs enables the switch pairs to be juxtaposed at fine pixel pitches.

Abstract: A touchpad formed from the combination of a flexible and non-conductive material used for a touch-sensitive surface, and a PC board on which is mounted the touchpad circuitry, wherein touchpad sensing electrodes are disposed on the touch-sensitive surface by creating electrical traces formed from conductive ink, the touch-sensitive surface being capable of conforming to various arcuate surfaces, and being capable of sensing through a protective housing such that the touch-sensitive surface is protected, and does not come in direct contact with the pointing object.

Abstract: An opened polygon including a transparent region for maintaining a backward drawing state is drawn. Next, a mask polygon which inhibits another polygon and texture from begin forwardly drawn afterward and maintains a backward drawing state is drawn behind the drawn opened polygon so as to be superimposed by at least the transparent region thereof. Then, in the case where a new polygon is drawn to be superimposed in front of an opened polygon, behind which the mask polygon is drawn, the new polygon is drawn in a region other than the transparent region of the opened polygon. In this manner, even in the case where another polygon is drawn to be overwritten at the boundary of a plurality of polygons having a positional relationship displayed on a game picture, it is possible to maintain a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display sheet is disclosed which includes a medial layer, formed by a plurality of spheres, which is disposed between a transparent non-conductive first sheet and a non-conductive bottom sheet. The plurality of spheres in the medial layer forms interstices which are filled by a suspension medium in which is suspended at least one form of electrophoretic material.

Abstract: In an active-matrix LCD device, a coupling signal in accordance with a sum of outputs of data signal lines is detected by a detection-use bus line crossing each of the data signal lines. The coupling signal is superimposed via a coupling capacitor on an input signal that serves as a reference, and is inverted and amplified by a inverting-amplifying section, then it is outputted as a common electrode signal. With this, a waveform that corresponds to a sum of the outputs is coupled with the common electrode signal. As a result, the common electrode signal is caused to have an influence that corresponds to a fluctuation of a potential of the common electrode due to outputs of the data signal lines and that is reverse in phase, thereby enabling to prevent horizontal shadow due to the outputs of the data signal lines. Thus, it is possible to realize an active-matrix-type LCD device in which horizontal shadow can be prevented with low power consumption.

Abstract: A system and method for use in retail stores for selecting, previewing, and purchasing music or other products is provided. The graphical information system provides a user with the ability to locate products through an interface that combines the use of mechanical wheels with a touch screen whereby rotation of the mechanical wheels, or thumbwheels, appears on screen to rotate a series of mechanical type drums. The system provides a user with the functionality and entertainment value of a kiosk coupled with a powerful method of selecting products from a large catalog using thumbwheels in conjunction with a hierarchical graphical user interface tailored for the specific retail environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampler (2) and a method for converting a signal (S1) into a multiple signal (S220 . . . S222), comprising a stage (22) of sample & hold circuits (220 . . . 222). The sampler (2) comprises an input circuit (20) having means (201) for applying a signal (S1) in bursts (S20) to the stage (22). Successive bursts are separated by a time interval (&Dgr;t1, &Dgr;t2). In this way, an increased sample time of the signal (S222) in the last channel is provided for a display panel (3) or a subsequent sample & hold circuit. In general, use of the invention ensures that the number of stages in a sampler can be reduced. The resulting, more compact design is very suitable for integration because the power consumption can be kept low. The arrangement requires less buffering, which makes it simpler to avoid uniformity problems and ghost images. A signal input in bursts requires memories.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a point physically touched and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the location includes an insulating substrate; a resistor touch pattern supported on the insulating substrate; and a protective insulating plate arranged over the resistive touch pattern. The resistive touch pattern has a plurality of strip resistors parallel to a center line; a plurality of linear resistors connected to the strip resistors, the resistance of the linear resistors decreasing with distance from the center line; first and third terminals positioned on an intermediate point of alternate edges of the touch pattern; and second and fourth terminals, positioned on an intermediate point of other alternate edges of the touch pattern. The resistive value of the linear resistors selected for a corresponding strip resistor so as to produce equal potential at a corresponding selected point on all said strip resistors.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus is constituted by a liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates each having thereon an electrode and a liquid crystal disposed between the pair of substrates and providing a tilt angle, driving voltage application means for applying a driving voltage to the liquid crystal, and at least one polarizer having a polarizing axis. The liquid crystal has a voltage-dependent alignment characteristic such that the tilt angle continuously changes depending on the driving voltage applied to the liquid crystal, and the above at least one polarizer is disposed so that the polarizing axis is shifted from positions providing a maximum transmittance and minimum transmittance under application of no electric field to increase the resultant transmittance and contrast.

Abstract: A low cost x-y digitising system is provided for use in consumer electronic devices, such as portable digital assistants, mobile telephones, web browsers and the like. The digitiser includes a resonant stylus, an excitation winding for energising the resonant stylus and a set of sensor windings for sensing the signal generated by the stylus, from which the x-y position of the stylus is determined.

Abstract: A fast-write, high picture-quality LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) compatible with a high-resolution, large-sized liquid crystal panel. An output amplifier circuit of a liquid crystal driver circuit includes an amplifier configuration, which functions as an amplifier that amplifies the predetermined gray-scale voltage for output and as an amplifier that buffers the predetermined gray-scale voltage and outputs with no amplification, and a circuit for switching the above two types of amplifiers. In each horizontal period, a liquid crystal panel is driven by the amplified output for a predetermined period and by the buffered output for the rest of the period. A pre-charge control circuit is provided to check whether the gray-scale voltage is to be amplified depending upon display data.

Abstract: A method for displaying a moving picture having a proper tone by changing a combination of subfields constituting a field of the moving picture, the subfields each having a different weight of luminance, a motion vector indicating a moved direction of the image and a moved quantity thereof is detected from image data, new image data for providing a tone equivalent to a tone to be received by a retina to the retina when the image moves is generated corresponding to the detected motion vector, and the combination of subfields is determined based on the generated new image data.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for entering data into a computerized navigation system of an aircraft is described. The device is strapped to the thigh with a connection provided to the aircraft avionics. To facilitate safety, quick release of the device from the avionics is provided. Alternatively, instead of a hard wired connection, a wireless connection is disclosed utilizing radio frequencies or infrared light. Alternatively, a pull away release is provided on the strap. The device consists of the keyboard that is ergonomically designed to provide one handed operation. Key layout on the keyboard is ergonomically designed to facilitate operation of the avionics being controlled. Backlighting of the keyboard provides illumination so that operation in low light conditions is possible. The keyboard may be equipped with a cover attached by a hinge that may be removed. The cover provides a convenient writing surface for the operator.

Abstract: A display system is constructed by a display apparatus having a display for displaying an image regarding input video data, a memory to store control information indicative of a frame rate of video data which can be displayed by the display, and a communicating unit for transmitting the control information stored in the memory. An image processing apparatus receives the control information transmitted from the display apparatus and for supplies the video data to the display apparatus in accordance with the received control information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detection apparatus, an input apparatus, an individual identification apparatus, and a recording medium that utilize information about users' bodies which disables the fraud of impersonating authorized users and is extremely difficult to forge and is obtained without giving the users a sense of inhibitions, without restraining their bodies during use, and independent of their mental states and health. A FIFO memory outputs, as one set of features, a total of 60 voltage values, which are broken down as 20 voltage values sampled every 12.5 ms (80 Hz) before the instant when timing is inputted at the peak position of an amplitude waveform signal generated by one click operation, 39 voltage values sampled every 12.

Abstract: High resolution projected digital images are produced by projecting in quick succession slightly different and slightly displaced low resolution images which are digitally derived from an image having several times more pixels than any single image the projector can project. The result is that the viewer perceives a single image with substantially higher resolution.