Abstract: A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display (112) such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller (110) may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality. The remote control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect relative motion between the controller (110) and screen. This position information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of a cursor or other GUI interface.

Abstract: A wireless keyboard and reader combination comprises a keyboard having a plurality of keys, an antenna, and a plurality of passive transponder circuits, employing backscatter transmission coded in the time domain using a reflected series of pulses, coupled to the antenna and associated with the keys. For example, SAW transponders may be employed. The passive transponder circuits are selectively coupled to the antenna and provide a coded response identifying a key in response to key activation. An associated reader includes a source of an interrogating field applied to the antenna of the keyboard and a decoder for determining the coded response from the passive transponder circuits.

Abstract: A search based TV interface system and method is disclosed. Search results are dynamically displayed based on search parameters and/or time. A dynamically adjusted grid may be provided which collapses to a list if a minimum grid size is not met. Search results may also be dynamically displayed organized by category.

Abstract: An automatic search system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by using the remote in a closed configuration.

Abstract: An automatic text entry system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a text entry menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. One of plural text entry modes may also be automatically selected based on past text entry mode selections or current viewing mode.

Abstract: An ergonomic folding remote control with keyboard is disclosed. The folding remote control with keyboard has an ergonomic angled typing surface and thicker forward section along with a lay flat design. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user when in the folded or closed position and conveniently rested on a support surface when in the opened position and used as a keyboard.

Abstract: A produce identification and pricing system and method for a supermarket checkout or other retail outlet where produce is handled. The produce identification and pricing system and method determines produce type and grade. A price database contains price information based on produce type and grade. Price is calculated using the produce type and grade.

Abstract: A wireless controller, such as a keyboard, and reader combination comprises a controller having a plurality of keys, one or mechanical to electrical energy converters providing energy from key activation, an antenna, and one or more passive transponder circuits, coupled to the antenna and associated with the keys. The passive transponder circuits provide a coded response identifying a key in response to key activation employing power from the key activation to modulate the interrogating field. In particular backscatter modulation using the reflected interrogating field may be employed. An associated reader includes a source of the interrogating field applied to the antenna of the keyboard and a decoder for determining the coded response from the passive transponder circuits.

Abstract: A remote control method and system employ remote controller (10) which is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display (222) as well as providing functions such as Internet access or other functions requiring a keyboard and/or a mouse. The remote controller includes a folding housing and may be operated in a closed or opened configuration. A first set of control inputs (12) are provided on the outer surface of the housing. The housing may be opened, thereby doubling the surface area of the remote controller, to expose a keyboard (56). One or more wireless transmitters are operable with the housing in either of two configurations oriented at 90 degrees to each other and controlled by the first set of control inputs and the keyboard. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user when in the folded or closed position and conveniently rested on the lap of the user or a support surface when in the opened position and used as a keyboard.

Abstract: A passive wireless mouse and reader combination comprises a source of an interrogating field and a wireless mouse having a movable XY encoder, a plurality of mouse control buttons, at least one antenna, and one or more passive transponder circuits coupled to the at least one antenna and associated with the XY encoder and plurality of mouse control buttons and providing a response to the interrogating field identifying XY encoder motion and mouse control button activation. The reader includes a decoder for determining the response from the passive transponder circuits.

Abstract: A wireless keyboard and reader combination comprises a keyboard having a plurality of keys, an antenna, and a plurality of passive transponder circuits coupled to the antenna and associated with the keys. The passive transponder circuits are selectively coupled to receive power from the antenna and provide a coded response identifying a key in response to key activation. An associated reader includes a source of an interrogating field applied to the antenna of the keyboard and a decoder for determining the coded response from the passive transponder circuits.

Abstract: A produce identification and pricing system for a supermarket checkout or other retail outlet where produce is handled includes one or more imagers which provide image data from produce to be identified, which image data includes spectral information, preferably including information from the nearer infrared as well as RGB information. The spectral information is transformed into a signature vector which is compared with target signature vectors for the variety of types of produce handled by the supermarket or other retail outlet. The best match to the target signature vectors is employed to obtain price information from a produce price database. If the produce price is based on weight, information from a scale is retrieved and the total price is calculated. If the price is based on the number of items, a count operation is enabled and the count value determined. The price is then determined based on the count value of the number of items.

Abstract: A remote controller is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a monitor or TV as well as providing functions such as Internet access or other functions requiring a keyboard and/or a mouse. The remote controller includes a folding housing and maybe operated in a closed or opened configuration. A first limited set of control inputs are provided on the outer surface of the housing. The housing may be opened, thereby doubling the surface area of the remote controller, to expose a keyboard and mouse type multi-directional controller. First and second wireless transmitters are oriented at 90 degrees to each other and respectively controlled by the first set of control inputs and the keyboard and mouse. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user when in the folded or closed position and conveniently rested on the lap of the user or arm of a sofa when in the opened position and used as a keyboard.

Abstract: A power regeneration system for a portable electronic device employs a mechanical energy converter for converting mechanical energy generated by activating keys in the keyboard and other manual operators employed in the portable computer into electrical energy. The mechanically generated electrical energy is used to power a transmitter or to recharge a rechargeable battery in the portable computer through a charging circuit. Time between charges of the rechargeable battery from external AC sources is extended due to the recapture of the mechanical energy generated through normal operation of the portable computer.

Abstract: A method for improving the phase purity of a multiphase ceramic high temperature superconductor by selective microwave heating of undesired phases in a multiphase material to cause a phase transformation of the undesired phase to the desired phase. The selective microwave heating may be employed during initial firing and sintering of the ceramic superconductor compound or as a subsequent annealing step. Plane polarized microwave energy may be employed to enhance the two dimensional anisotropy of the compound by similar selective heating.

Abstract: A method for improving the phase purity of a multiphase ceramic high temperature superconductor by selective microwave heating of undesired phases in a multiphase material to cause a phase transformation of the undesired phase to the desired phase. The selective microwave heating may be employed during initial firing and sintering of the ceramic superconductor compound or as a subsequent annealing step. Plane polarized microwave energy may be employed to enhance the two dimensional anisotropy of the compound by similar selective heating.

Abstract: A composite high temperature superconductor and substrate structure formed by a process which employs masking a substrate slab into regions to have superconductor devices therein, depositing superconductor ceramic compound materials within said regions, masking the substrate slab upper surface outside of the regions with reflective material, and heating the superconductor material to a temperature desired for firing or sintering the material. The semiconductor slab outside of the superconducting region is maintained at a relatively low temperature by reflection of the incident energy by the reflective material. After heating of the superconducting material to its ceramic form, the reflective material is removed and the remainder of the semiconductive circuit is processed in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A method for forming hybrid semiconductor/superconductor circuits employs masking a substrate slab into regions to have superconductor devices therein, depositing superconductor ceramic compound materials within said regions, masking the substrate slab upper surface outside of the regions with reflective material, and heating the superconductor material to a temperature desired for firing or sintering the material. The semiconductor slab outside of the superconducting region is maintained at a relatively low temperature by reflection of the incident energy by the reflective material. After heating of the superconducting material to its ceramic form, the reflective material is removed and the remainder of the semiconductive circuit is processed in a conventional manner.