Abstract: A calibration system for a vision-based automatic writing implement is disclosed. The automatically controlled writing implement is appended to an articulated robot arm. The writing implement draws or writes on a substrate and recognizes what a user draws or writes on the same substrate. The user may move the substrate while drawing, thereby confusing the drawing and recognition processes. Accordingly, a controller draws a target on the substrate initially. Before each drawing or recognition step, the controller uses a digital video camera to find and recognize the target and determine whether the substrate has moved. The target is asymmetrical, such that the controller can determine the orientation as well as the position of the substrate. The controller can then orient its drawing and recognition algorithms to the new location and orientation of the substrate.

Abstract: A calibration system for a vision-based automatic writing implement is disclosed. The automatically controlled writing implement is appended to an articulated robot arm. The writing implement draws or writes on a substrate and recognizes what a user draws or writes on the same substrate. The user may move the substrate while drawing, thereby confusing the drawing and recognition processes. Accordingly, a controller draws a target on the substrate initially. Before each drawing or recognition step, the controller uses a digital video camera to find and recognize the target and determine whether the substrate has moved. The target is asymmetrical, such that the controller can determine the orientation as well as the position of the substrate. The controller can then orient its drawing and recognition algorithms to the new location and orientation of the substrate.

Abstract: Information is determined about acceleration of a user manipulated input device (using, for example, an accelerometer). A wireless communication element (e.g., a lamp) is controlled in response to the acceleration information. A computer presentation of video information to the user is controlled in response to signals of the wireless communication element.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the method and apparatus for managing multiple speech applications, a common development platform and a common environment are provided. The common environment interfaces with the speech applications, receives information from an application information storage and a plurality of speech input sources, allows the speech applications to execute simultaneously and transitions from one said speech application to another seamlessly. In addition, the speech applications are developed based on the common development platform. Thus, application developers may utilize the common development platform to design and implement the speech applications independently.