Abstract: A method and system for decoding and storing encoded control data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An interactive device performs behavior defined by control data encoded into a video signal that can be broadcast or played-back from video tape. The interactive device is equipped with a non-volatile memory that permits the control data to be stored for performance subsequent to, or during, the transmission session. The control data is delivered as a series of control data words that include genus codes identifying the interactive device to which the data word is directed. During a transmission session, control data words will be repeated, so that an interactive device receives several control data words with the same sequence number. Based on the relative gradings, the interactive device will replace previously received control data words of lower quality than subsequently received data words having the same sequence number.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding and storing encoded control data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An interactive device such as a toy performs behavior defined by control data that can be encoded into a video signal. The toy is equipped with a decoder for extracting data from the horizontal overscan portion of the video signal, and a non-volatile memory that permits the control data to be stored for use after the video signal is no longer being received. The control data are delivered as a series of words that include genus codes and sequence codes. Genus codes identify the specific toy to which the word is directed, as more than one toy may receive the video signal. Error grading is used to minimize the effect of such signal deterioration, so the toy will replace previously received words if newer words are of higher quality.

Abstract: Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. Power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. Power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: A data input device for use with an optically rough tracking surface comprising a substantially coherent light source for projecting a substantially coherent light beam onto the tracking surface for scattering the substantially coherent light beam. An optic guides the projected substantially coherent light beam toward the tracking surface and comprises a first boundary facing the substantially coherent light source and a second boundary opposite the first boundary. A detector detects at least a portion of the scattered light beam comprising a speckle pattern. The optic is arranged such that the tracking surface is spaced from the second boundary by a distance sufficient to inhibit any substantial retro-reflection of the substantially coherent light beam striking the second boundary from striking the detector. A controller responsive to the detector operates the device in a tracking mode for utilizing the detected speckle pattern to track relative movement between the device and the tracking surface.

Abstract: A laser range finder includes a laser and a photosensitive element. The laser projects a beam onto a target surface. A backscattered portion of the laser beam returns to the laser from the target surface and enters the laser emitting cavity. Variations in laser output power are detected by the photosensitive element, which provides a “beat” signal to a frequency detection circuit. The frequency detection circuit includes a difference frequency analog phase locked loop (DFAPLL) providing a purified form of the beat signal. The frequency of the purified beat signal is determined and used to calculate distance to the target surface.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding and storing encoded coupon data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An electronic coupon displays representations of coupons defined by coupon data that can be extracted from an encoded video signal that can be broadcast or played-back from video tape. The electronic coupon is equipped with a non-volatile memory that permits the coupon data to be stored for display subsequent to the transmission session (e.g., a televised program). The electronic coupon has a set-up mode which allows a user to pre-select types of coupons that the user would like to receive. Coupon data satisfying the user's selections will be stored in the electronic coupon, while coupon data not satisfying the user's selections will not be stored. A decoder extracts the coupon data from an encoded video signal and transmits the coupon data to the electronic coupon via a receiver of electronic contacts.

Abstract: A data input device for use with a tracking surface having light-scattering properties with respect to the device. The device comprising a single laser having a modulated light beam. A beam splitter splits the modulated light beam into two light beams projected along separate paths toward the tracking surface. A portion of the light striking the tracking surface reflects back into a cavity of the single laser for self-mixing with the projected light, thereby altering first and second characteristics of the projected modulated light beam according to first and second directions associated with the tracking surface. A detector associated with the laser detects the altered first and second characteristics of the modulated light beam projected by the laser, and a controller responsive to the detector determines the relative movement of the tracking surface and data input device relative to one another as a function of the altered first and second characteristics detected by the detector.

Abstract: Proximity of a user body part can be detected by measuring the effects such proximity has on antenna impedance mismatches. The amount of mismatch affects the amount of RF signal energy reflected back into a transmission line connecting the antenna to a RF signal source. A directional coupler has a main line electrically connected to the transmission line, as well as a coupled line. The directional coupler produces a signal on its coupled line in relation to the magnitude of reflected energy on the transmission line; the amount of reflected energy varies in response to how well the antenna impedance matches the transmission line impedance. A signal detector is electrically connected to the coupled line, and responds to signals produced in the coupled line by the main line. The signal detector output is then used to determine whether a body part is in proximity. Other aspects the invention include an adaptive algorithm to adjust a threshold for proximity determination.

Abstract: Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. Power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding and storing encoded control data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An interactive device such as an interactive toy performs behavior defined by control data that can be encoded into a video signal that can be broadcast or played-back from video tape. The interactive device is equipped with a non-volatile memory that permits the control data to be stored for performance subsequent to the transmission session (e.g., a televised program). The interactive device also may be equipped to perform behavior during the transmission session. The control data is delivered as a series of control data words that include genus codes and sequence codes. Genus codes identify the interactive device to which the data word is directed, so that a particular interactive device will respond (i.e., perform behavior) only in accordance with the control data words including the appropriate genus code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate wireless device communications and configuration. A detection component identifies N devices that are coupled together via a biological medium, N being an integer, wherein the medium includes direct or indirect touching to a device or devices. After biological contact, a configuration component initiates a configuration between a subset of the devices. Although configurations and/or other communications can be conducted through a medium such as the human body, the present invention can employ an initial touch to identify respective devices whereby other electronic configuration sequences commence without further device contact. Other aspects include chain touching between users and/or devices to facilitate contact between the devices.

Abstract: Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. A plurality of power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: The adaptive timing module is configured for recovering data encoded in a field of a video signal, and further configured for counteracting horizontal phase or picture shift. An adaptive timing processor defines a timing window where the expected prescan portion video signal is expected to be in an encoded video signal. The timing window is divided into sub-portions with a set of sampling points. The adaptive timing processor conducts a sweeping operation over each sub-portion of the prescan portion of the encoded video signal for the presence of a pre-data encoding zone. When a pre-data encoding zone is detected, the adaptive timing processor stores the position of the sub-portion with the pre-data encoding zone, or sets a flag to indicate the presence of a pre-data encoding zone for that particular sub-portion in a particular field.

Abstract: The present invention relate to method and apparatus for processing a video signal to decode data previously encoded into the video signal. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for detecting a first line of a data sequence encoded in a digital video signal by scanning a digital video signal by line to look for an intelligent signal detect word. If the detect word is not found, a counter is incremented. Scanning continues until the intelligent signal detect word is found, and once found flagging that line as a first data line. Another aspect of the invention is a decoding apparatus that searches the plurality of horizontal scan lines in a video signal for the presence of a data start key, and when such a data start key is found, the line containing the data start key is identified as the first line of the encoded data.

Abstract: A communications system that provides bandwidth efficient, bi-directional communications over a single communications channel, allowing a master device to control the operation of remote devices. A computer system continuously provides an audio/video presentation on a speaker and display device. During a first time period, the computer system also provides control and speech data, relevant to the presentation, to a link master controller. The link master controller encodes the control and speech data to reduce bandwidth requirements, and then transmits the encoded data to a remote device. The remote device receives and decodes the encoded data, places the data into a data buffer, and uses the data to control at least one motion servo motor and/or provide data to a speech synthesizer.

Abstract: A system for electronic communications using electrical power lines in a building includes a plurality of components that are connected for communications among themselves through the electrical power lines. A control transmitter is associated with at least one of the components for transmitting a data stream over the electrical power lines as a series of state changes. The data stream has a sequence of binary elements that each have one of two possible binary values. The control transmitter is configured to encode the binary elements as a series of three different state intervals on the transmission medium, depending on the value of the current binary element, the immediately preceding binary element, and the immediately following binary element. A control receiver is configured to decode the original data stream based on the state intervals. The encoding scheme allows a bit rate that is equal to the baud rate of the transmission medium.

Abstract: A system for electronic communications using electrical power lines in a building includes a plurality of components that are connected for communications among themselves through the electrical power lines. A control transmitter is associated with at least one of the components for transmitting a data stream over the electrical power lines as a series of state changes. The data stream has a sequence of binary elements that each have one of two possible binary values. The control transmitter is configured to encode the binary elements as a series of three different state intervals on the transmission medium, depending on the value of the current binary element, the immediately preceding binary element, and the immediately following binary element. A control receiver is configured to decode the original data stream based on the state intervals. The encoding scheme allows a bit rate that is equal to the baud rate of the transmission medium.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electrical device contains rechargeable batteries for supplying power to the electrical device and a transformerless pulse charging circuit. The pulse charging circuit generates a pulse charging current from received AC current, and charges the rechargeable batteries with the generated pulse charging current. A semiconductor switch (12) generates the pulse charging current from the received AC current and supplies the pulse charging current to the batteries. A ramp generator circuit (14) generates a linearly rising waveform beginning at each zero crossing of the rectified AC current. A current sense amplifier circuit (15) measures the average value of current pulses through the battery and generates a signal proportional to an average charging current. A triggering circuit (18) generates the gate firing pulses for the semiconductor switch (12) according to the linearly rising waveform and the average charging current amplifier waveform.