Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gestures to control an interactive display identifies gestures based on a bounding box enclosing points at which a user contacts a touch sensor corresponding with the display surface and permits use of inexpensive and highly reliable grid-based touch sensors that provide a bounding box to describe contact information. In identifying gestures, position, motion, shape, and deformation of the bounding box may be considered. Center, width, height, aspect ratio, length and orientation of the bounding box diagonal may be determined. A stretch factor, defined as the maximum of the ratio of the height of the bounding box to the width of the bounding box and the ratio of the width of the bounding box to the height of the bounding box, may also be computed. Gestures may be identified based on the changes in time of these characteristics and quantities.

Abstract: Through status awareness, a handheld communications device may determine the location, activity, and/or physical or emotional state of the user. This information may in turn be used for various purposes, such as 1) determining how to alert the user of an incoming communication, 2) determining what format to use for communicating with the user, and 3) determining how to present the user's status to another person's communication device.

Abstract: Through status awareness, a handheld communications device may determine the location, activity, and/or physical or emotional state of the user. This information may in turn be used for various purposes, such as 1) determining how to alert the user of an incoming communication, 2) determining what format to use for communicating with the user, and 3) determining how to present the user's status to another person's communication device.

Abstract: Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for hair treatment are disclosed. According to various embodiments, light is used to shave, trim, or otherwise modify hair shafts.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for implementing a contoured thumb touch sensor. An apparatus may comprise, for example, an input device configured on a side of an apparatus, the input device having a concave shape in a direction from a top of the apparatus to a bottom of the apparatus, the input device comprising a touch-sensitive surface operative to detect movement input. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gestures to control an interactive display identifies gestures based on a bounding box enclosing points at which a user contacts a touch sensor corresponding with the display surface and permits use of inexpensive and highly reliable grid-based touch sensors that provide a bounding box to describe contact information. In identifying gestures, position, motion, shape, and deformation of the bounding box may be considered. Center, width, height, aspect ratio, length and orientation of the bounding box diagonal may be determined. A stretch factor, defined as the maximum of the ratio of the height of the bounding box to the width of the bounding box and the ratio of the width of the bounding box to the height of the bounding box, may also be computed. Gestures may be identified based on the changes in time of these characteristics and quantities.

Abstract: Video teleconferencing systems and methods are provided for providing virtual roundtable meetings. In one embodiment, a video teleconference system is provided for providing virtual round table meetings. The system comprises a curved display surface and a video processor configured to receive a video image of a participant from each of a plurality of remote video teleconferencing systems and display each participant equally spaced about the curved display surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gestures to control an interactive display identifies gestures based on a bounding box enclosing points at which a user contacts a touch sensor corresponding with the display surface and permits use of inexpensive and highly reliable grid-based touch sensors that provide a bounding box to describe contact information. In identifying gestures, position, motion, shape, and deformation of the bounding box may be considered. Center, width, height, aspect ratio, length and orientation of the bounding box diagonal may be determined. A stretch factor, defined as the maximum of the ratio of the height of the bounding box to the width of the bounding box and the ratio of the width of the bounding box to the height of the bounding box, may also be computed. Gestures may be identified based on the changes in time of these characteristics and quantities.

Abstract: Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.

Abstract: A system for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system is disclosed. State information that describes the operating conditions or circumstances under which a user intends to operate the system is obtained. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a valid hash value is determined, preferably based on the state information and preferably by locating the valid hash value within a table of valid hash values indexed by the state information. Candidate authorization information is obtained from the user, and a candidate hash value is generated by applying a hashing algorithm to the candidate authorization information, the state information, or a combination of the candidate authorization information and state information. The candidate hash value and the valid hash value are then compared, and the microprocessor-based system is enabled if the candidate hash value matches the valid hash value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for obtaining and acting upon information indicative of circulatory health and related phenomena in human beings or other subjects.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a touch surface may comprise multiple individual sensors, each of which is capable of mechanical deflection in a direction parallel to the surface, with the device using the touch surface being able to detect such deflection in each sensor. With this capability, the device may be able to detect intended movement of a touch over the touch surface even if no additional sensors are activated by that movement. Such sensors may be useful for detecting very small motions, and may be especially useful for motions in which the shape of the user's thumb results in the same touch area being in contact with the thumb even though the thumb is executing an extension or retraction movement.

Abstract: An expeditionary module comprises one or more mission capabilities package (MCP) carts, to provide a self-contained mission support system, such as in remote and austere environments. The exterior structure of the expeditionary module may to preferably comprise a standard shipping container. One or more MCP carts are stowable within the exterior structure, such as on a U-channel track and I-Beam rail system that runs longitudinally along the floor and ceiling of the exterior structure. The expeditionary module typically comprises a suite of standard equipment, to provide general-purpose functionality. Prior to deployment, one or more MCP carts may preferably be selected for an operation, and are loaded into the expeditionary module, via the U-channel track and I-Beam rail system. Upon arrival at the operation location, personnel readily unload the MCP carts. Additional structures allow personnel to configure one or more MCP carts and containers in a variety of configurations.

Abstract: An interactive display system, including a touch sensitive display, establishes a first image and at least one secondary image, each image representing various spatial coordinates, the spatial coordinates overlapping at least in part such that each image comprises an alternate depiction of subject matter common to all of the images. The first image is presented upon the display. Responsive to user input including contact with the display, imagery presented by the display is updated to integrate a region of at least one of the secondary images into the display. Each integrated region has substantially identical represented coordinates as a counterpart region of the first image. Further, each integrated region is presented in same scale and display location as the counterpart region of the first image.

Abstract: A media processing device may include a processing component and a viewing context builder operative on the processing component. The viewing context builder may analyze media content comprising an audio stream, a video stream, and/or a closed captioning stream from a selected channel; extract context relevant data from the analyzed media content; and build a viewing preference profile from the context relevant data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a processor and a touch sensing device coupled to the processor. The apparatus may further include a force determining module operative on the processor to receive a detection signal from a first portion of the touch sensing device, determine a contact area at the first portion based upon the detection signal, map the first portion to a target operation, and send control instructions to perform the target operation based on the contact area.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating skin for aesthetic or health purposes are described. According to various embodiments, photoresponsive materials and light are delivered in a controlled fashion to produce a patterned distribution of a material in the skin.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating skin for aesthetic, functional, health or other purposes are described. According to various embodiments, materials are delivered to or formed in or on the skin at multiple depths or heights in a pattern to form a hologram in or on the skin.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for determining the current state of multiple devices that form the basis of a home entertainment system. A user may be utilizing one or more devices in the home entertainment system when an interruption occurs which may divert the user's attention away from the home entertainment system for an extended period of time. In such circumstances, the user may wish to easily store the settings of all the devices currently in use such that the session can be saved for future recall. There is no need to remember the individual device settings. The session may be stored and associated with a graphical user interface (GUI) icon and made available for later recall. When the user returns, she simply may select the GUI icon for the particular session to be restored. Other embodiments are described and claimed.