Abstract: Video images are displayed from a sequence of frames or lines of video signals from a prerecorded source of frames or lines, respectively. A direction that a user is facing is determined by a directional device and a portion of the sequence of frames or lines are stored based on the direction determined by the directional device. The stored portion is read from memory and displayed for the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to sound systems and more particularly to such systems that present sound to a listener in a "full wrap-around" manner.

Abstract: A 360 degree scene is obtained by image generating devices. These image generating devices obtain a plurality of different video images, each of the image generating devices obtain a different video image of a different field of view of the scene. These different video images are sequentially recorded for use in a virtual reality system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an omnipresent sound system for use by a listener in an artificial reality system which operates to couple sound with the presented objects such that as the sound moves with respect to the user, the user will have the perception of the changing sound both in pitch and in volume. The sound system is comprised of a series of piezoelectric elements spaced apart around a user's head. The system is designed to program each element individually so as to create the illusion of omnipresent three-dimensional sound in conjunction with images presented to the listener, which images define an artificial environment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for providing a portable visual display device. The device, in one embodiment, can be worn over the head by a viewer in the manner of a helmet. The viewer then looks at a screen within the helmet and "sees" created images. The helmet is equipped with sensors which determine the geographical direction as well as the relative movement of the viewer. The images are stored in a processor as a series of objects, each having associated therewith physical characteristics, including both audio and visual.

Abstract: A self-contained pen computer is provided that is capable of acquiring data representative of written strokes of the stylus of the pen and then recognizing the symbols associated with these pen strokes, or compacting these strokes. These recognized symbols or compacted strokes are stored in a memory contained in the pen and are transmitted via a transmitter contained in the pen to a host computer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for establishing a vote tabulation system. A voter receives a mechanical card, or key, onto which there is placed data in machine readable form which allows the voter to gain access to any one of a number of portable terminals. The information on the card controls the presentation of names or issues to the particular voter and also controls the language for presentation of the voter's choices. The terminal tabulates all of the votes and also modifies the card to prevent revoting and to record the tabulated results. A depository is used to store the individual cards from all the terminals and to record as a cross check the tabulated results which were recorded on the individual cards. The depository total tabulated count is compared against the sums stored on removable memories from the individual terminals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device and method for providing signals representative of the positional altitude of a user. The device is responsive to hand or head movements to move a dampened substance contained within a confined tube past one or more sensors. Light passing through the tube is interrupted by the movement of the dampened substance which can be a liquid or a solid object within a viscous liquid.