Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to systems, apparatus and methods concerned with autonomous preparation of brewed beverages, such as coffee beverages. Some embodiments make use of at least one robotic arm in the brewed beverage preparation. Various embodiments use two robotic arms. Various embodiments have multiple separately controlled components with which the at least one robotic arm can interact as part of the coffee preparation process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for visualizing a 3-dimensional (3-D) image and providing haptic feedback to a user when the user interacts with the 3-D image. In some embodiments, a method is presented. The method may include accessing, in a wearable visualization device, density data of a physical structure. The method may further include generating a three-dimensional image of the physical structure based on the density data, displaying the three-dimensional image in the wearable visualization device, receiving manipulation data associated with the three-dimensional image from a haptic device, and providing haptic feedback data associated with the three-dimensional image, to the haptic device, based on the manipulation data.

Abstract: A system and method for selective gesture interaction using spatial volumes is disclosed. The method includes processing data frames that each includes one or more body point locations of a collaborating user that is interfacing with an application at each time intervals, defining a spatial volume for each collaborating user based on the processed data frames, detecting a gesture performed by a first collaborating user based on the processed data frames, determining the gesture to be an input gesture performed by the first collaborating user in a first spatial volume, interpreting the input gesture based on a context of the first spatial volume that includes a role of the first collaborating user, a phase of the application, and an intersection volume between the first spatial volume and a second spatial volume for a second collaborating user, and providing an input command to the application based on the interpreted input gesture.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for visualizing a 3-dimensional (3-D) image and providing haptic feedback to a user when the user interacts with the 3-D image. In some embodiments, a method is presented. The method may include accessing, in a wearable visualization device, density data of a physical structure. The method may further include generating a three-dimensional image of the physical structure based on the density data, displaying the three-dimensional image in the wearable visualization device, receiving manipulation data associated with the three-dimensional image from a haptic device, and providing haptic feedback data associated with the three-dimensional image, to the haptic device, based on the manipulation data.

Abstract: A method and system for improving user interface efficiency through muscle memory and a radial menu are disclosed. A computer device stores a list of reference commands. The computer device receives a first input component from a user. The computer device then determines whether the first input component matches a first component of at least one reference command in the list of reference commands. In accordance with a determination that the first input component matches the first component of the at least one reference command in the list of reference commands, the computer device continues to monitor user input without displaying a radial menu. In accordance with a determination that the first input component does not match the first component of the at least one reference command in the list of reference commands, the computer device displays the radial menu to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for selective gesture interaction using spatial volumes is disclosed. The method includes processing data frames that each includes one or more body point locations of a collaborating user that is interfacing with an application at each time intervals, defining a spatial volume for each collaborating user based on the processed data frames, detecting a gesture performed by a first collaborating user based on the processed data frames, determining the gesture to be an input gesture performed by the first collaborating user in a first spatial volume, interpreting the input gesture based on a context of the first spatial volume that includes a role of the first collaborating user, a phase of the application, and an intersection volume between the first spatial volume and a second spatial volume for a second collaborating user, and providing an input command to the application based on the interpreted input gesture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically retrieving and displaying supplemental information about a called party on the CPE of a calling party. When a caller places a call, the number called is used to look up and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the called party. Application software resident in the caller's CPE uses the URL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved systems and methods for communicating information between an auxiliary display device and a primary display device. Methods and systems for automatic cross-display coordination between an auxiliary and primary display device through the use of executable command lines are provided. In at least one embodiment, a user of a user computer may determine what features of an application are associated with executable command lines and displayed on an auxiliary device. In yet other embodiments, an API is provided to allow a user to select or manually enter command lines to execute on a primary display device. Yet further aspects of the invention, the auxiliary display device is used to remotely produce a visual output on a primary display device.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for tracking training and motivating a user to learn aspects of installed software or hardware. Aspects of the invention relate to methods that guide indications of a user's knowledge of a function or element of installed hardware or software on a user computer. Further aspects of the invention relate to motivating a user to learn underutilized features of a user computer. Yet further aspects of the invention relate to a display that changes based on a user's current state of knowledge in relation to a particular function or element of a software program. In one embodiment, the display output may be independent of the state of the software or hardware.

Abstract: A home automation and security system is provided in which a home automation and security controller in a customer premises is coupled with a remotely located central control facility using a continuous connectivity access line providing a data channel separate from a voice channel. The controller at the customer premises is responsible for monitoring and applying control signals to devices in the home and for supporting a human interface. The remotely located central control facility is responsible for providing the computational and database resources to the controller. By redistributing functionality, the network-based structure of this home automation and security system can overcome the disadvantages of conventional home automation and security systems.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-selected information to a paging-capable device. An enhanced paging system responsive to information sources and a selection device transmits information to a paging-capable device. The enhanced paging system comprises a storing means, a selecting means, a storage device, and a transmitter. Such a system can provide user-selected information to a paging-capable device, allowing the user to control what information will be sent and when the information will be sent. Intelligent-agent software can automatically search for and store information that would be of interest to the user and can alert the user that more detailed information is available. It can also send critical information to the user without user request.

Abstract: A wind turbine uses a support tower with a rotatable upper portion supporting an electric generating turbine. A set of radially oriented blades rotate in a vertical plane. A control vane is mounted on a hinge bar and is movable vertically along the bar as well as bilaterally about the hinge bar, when the control vane is lifted out of a restraint well under the force of a wind vector moving in a first horizontal direction where the turbine would be counter-rotated. The control vane is pressed into the restraint well under the force of a wind vector moving in a second direction, essentially opposing the first direction. The control vane is urged to rotate laterally when lifted out of the restraint well, thereby rotating the upper tower portion until the control vane is positioned for being pressed into the restraint well so as to align the turbine blades for preferred blade rotation.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-selected information to a paging-capable device. An enhanced paging system responsive to information sources and a selection device transmits information to a paging-capable device. The enhanced paging system comprises a storing means, a selecting means, a storage device, and a transmitter. Such a system can provide user-selected information to a paging-capable device, allowing the user to control what information will be sent and when the information will be sent. Intelligent-agent software can automatically search for and store information that would be of interest to the user and can alert the user that more detailed information is available. It can also send critical information to the user without user request.

Abstract: A device to couple a prosthesis to a human leg stump above-the-knee in a first embodiment, and below the knee in the second embodiment. The device has an upper and a lower plate, the connecting mechanism being disposed in the lower plate. The upper plate is round and the same in both embodiments, but for above-the-knee junctions, the lower plate is elliptical while for below-the-knee junctions, the lower plate is round and of the same diameter as the upper plate. The operative connection is achieved by use of a guillotine, whose horizontally disposed blade engages one of a plurality of grooves on a locking stud. The movement of the spring-loaded guillotine is controlled by a retractable release pin to permit the guillotine to engage in or disengage the groove to which is disposed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-network related information about a calling party. First, the called party receives a telephone number of a calling party. The called party's customer premises equipment (CPE) or elements in a telephone network then use the telephone number to index a database, which contains combinations of telephone numbers and computer-network addresses. Once the calling party's computer-network address is retrieved, calling-party-customized information present at the computer-network location specified by the computer-network address can be sent to and displayed on the called party's CPE. Also, the calling party's telephone number can be sent to an application in the computer network, causing the calling-party-customized information to be automatically displayed on the called party's CPE.

Abstract: A device to couple a prosthesis to a human leg stump above-the-knee in a first embodiment, and below the knee in the second embodiment. The device has an upper and a lower plate, the connecting mechanism being disposed in the lower plate. The upper plate is round and the same in both embodiments, but for above-the-knee junctions, the lower plate is elliptical while for below-the-knee junctions, the lower plate is round and of the same diameter as the upper plate. The operative connection is achieved by use of a guillotine, whose horizontally disposed blade engages one of a plurality of grooves on a locking stud. The movement of the spring-loaded guillotine is controlled by a retractable release pin to permit the guillotine to engage in or disengage the groove to which is disposed.