Abstract: The invention provides a display system which incorporates two display devices. A first is larger than a second, but with a lower resolution. The higher resolution second display is a directional display and it has its output area within the overall output area of the first display. This system integrates a general display for long range viewing by multiple people with a short range higher resolution display for interaction with one or a small number of users.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for tracking vehicles' locations within a parking area. A vehicle identifier may be assigned to a vehicle entering the parking area. A plurality of light sensors may be employed in the parking area to guide the vehicle to an unoccupied parking spot and/or to determine where the vehicle is ultimately parked. In some embodiments, the plurality of light sensors may each be configured to receive and retransmit locally, e.g., to neighboring light sensors, the vehicle identifier on detection of physical presence of the vehicle. In this manner, the vehicle identifier “travels” with the vehicle among the plurality of light sensors to the vehicle's fmal parking spot. A driver later reclaiming a vehicle may provide a vehicle identifier to a parking kiosk, which may provide output indicative of the vehicle's location in the parking area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuration of a physical control panel (120). In some embodiments at least one property (128) of a physical control panel (120) is detected at a mobile device (150); a plurality of events (122, 124, 126) that can be generated by the physical control panel (120) are identified; one or more control actions (154) are associated with one or more of the identified events, at the mobile device (150); and those associations are transmitted (159) to a controller (130).

Abstract: An environmental controller (100) includes a detector (120) configured to detect and select a master (155) from multiple identities (170, 175, 180) of a person in an environment, which may be a real person (165) or virtual person (185). A processor (110) may be configured to control parameters of the environment in accordance with preferences of the master (155) associated with the environment. The parameters may include temperature; personal or business telecommunication; lighting; audio and video sources; security; and/or natural light conditions. The processor (110) may be further configured to control the parameters in accordance with a schedule which includes time, day, and special events occurring in environment, such as an emergency situation, a social or business gathering. The processor (110) may also be configured to effectuate changes in the master (155) such as, in the case where the master has two identities, removing one of the master identities.