Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supplying input signals to a computer. A sensor having the form of a sphere has a touch sensitive surface for generating position data for touch events. The sensor includes orientation sensors that determine rotation with respect to the earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. Orientation data may be combined with position data to interpret the orientation of touch events on the surface with respect to the computer's display. Cursor movement or text may be generated from touch events. Preferably the sphere has a roughened surface that generates sound when touched. Position data is generated by processing signals from microphones under the sphere's surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable alpha numeric keyboard device (2301) configured to input data items into a computer or similar processing device (2307). The keyboard device comprises a first electrically conductive fabric sheet, a second electrically conductive fabric sheet and an interface circuit configured to supply voltages to and receive outputs from said keyboard. In addition; the keyboard is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and the interface circuit is arranged to respond to the mechanical interaction and to provide a data item to a computer or similar processing device.

Abstract: An optical layer comprises a sheet of material having a surface. The surface comprises a plurality of optical elements. The optical elements are comprised of microscopic patterns in the surface that cooperate to produce an image. Each of the elements has a focal length. At least some of the focal lengths are significantly different from other focal lengths, such that some portions of the surface appear to be closer to a viewer than other portions of the surface.

Abstract: A tactile feedback simulating fabrication for use with an input device provides flexible mouldings (801) locatable above detection positions. Flexible mouldings (801) provide tactile feedback simulating a key-press. Each of the mouldings (801) defines a top portion (802) and a flexible side wall (803). A flexible fabric layer (804) is attached to the flexible mouldings thereby significantly enhancing the durability of these mouldings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means. The data input device is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and may be reconfigured into two operational configurations. In a first flexible configuration the device may be bent or flexed about a first axis, and in a second rigid configuration the data input device is substantially rigid such that bending or flexing of the device about the first axis is inhibited.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus (101 and 102) configured to receive signals from an input sensor (106) arranged to duplicate or replace operations of a keyboard, in which the signals correspond to positions of mechanical interactions with the sensor (106). The apparatus comprises processing means (1202) configured to process data derived from the input sensor including positional data corresponding to the position of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor (106) and a second data type corresponding to the absence of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor. The processing means (1202) is configured to generate data representing a first character in response to processing an item of data of said second type followed by positional data corresponding to a first position, and to generate data representing a different second character in response to processing positional data corresponding to a different second position followed by an item of data of said second type.

Abstract: A tactile feedback simulating fabrication for use with an input device provides flexible mouldings (801) locatable above detection positions. Flexible mouldings (801) provide tactile feedback simulating a key-press. Each of the mouldings (801) defines a top portion (802) and a flexible side wall (803). A flexible fabric layer (804) is attached to the flexible mouldings thereby significantly enhancing the durability of these mouldings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means. The data input device is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and may be reconfigured into two operational configurations. In a first flexible configuration the device may be bent or flexed about a first axis, and in a second rigid configuration the data input device is substantially rigid such that bending or flexing of the device about the first axis is inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable alpha numeric keyboard device (2301) configured to input data items into a computer or similar processing device (2307). The keyboard device comprises a first electrically conductive fabric sheet, a second electrically conductive fabric sheet and an interface circuit configured to supply voltages to and receive outputs from said keyboard. In addition; the keyboard is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and the interface circuit is arranged to respond to the mechanical interaction and to provide a data item to a computer or similar processing device.

Abstract: A system for raising a person lying on the ground includes a lifting seat 10 comprising a back rest 12 coupled to a seat portion 18. At either side of the back rest 12 and seat portion 18 there are provided side supports 14, 16, 20 and 22. The system is such that in use it can be slid onto a person lying on his/her side, rotated such that the back rest 12 lies on the ground, with the supports 14-22 supporting the person during rotation to a back-lying position. The back rest 12 can then be rotated upwardly to bring the person into a sitting position.

Abstract: In a diagnostic ultrasound imaging system, a sequence of more than two signals is transmitted into the interrogation of the patient's body. In one embodiment of the invention, the pulses are grouped as pairs that have an inverted phase, that is, one is time-domain negative of the other. In an alternative of this embodiment, the pulses need not be paired, but rather are generated with alternating phase characteristics. The return signals are then filtered to isolate (or suppress) return signal components corresponding to portions of the interrogation region with non-linear (or linear) response characteristics. In a second embodiment of the invention, three or more pulses are generated so that have non-equidistant relative phase distribution. By combining the return signals, linear return signal components are suppressed.