Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for rendering imagery that compensates for parallax. Image data may comprise a sequence of images of a location, collected at known intervals (e.g., distances), such as along a path. The image data can comprise a first layer comprising a first depth, and a second layer comprising a second depth, that is different from the first depth. The image data can be composed into resulting imagery, where the first layer is composed at the first depth and the second layer is composed at the second depth. The resulting imagery can be rendered to compensate for, or rather make use of, parallax, such that the first layer is rendered at a first movement speed, based at least upon the first depth, and the second layer is rendered at a second movement speed, based at least upon the second depth.

Abstract: A simultaneously interactive map display and textual listing is presented where both are simultaneously displayed on a display device. The display area of the display device is divided between the map display and the textual listing with one of them receiving a greater proportion than the other. User input directed to the one receiving the greater proportion can be responded to in a traditional manner, while user input directed to the one receiving the lesser proportion can cause a transition whereby the display area is re-proportioned and, with such re-proportioning, the user input can also be responded to in a traditional manner. Additionally, user selections in the textual listing can be simultaneously reflected in the map display, and vice versa, irrespective of which has the greater proportion of the display area. Optionally, a re-proportioning transition can be triggered by such user selections.

Abstract: A method and device to permit a water vessel to releasably capture a line. The water vessel may include a step cutout portion to receive a line capturing device. The line capturing device includes a device housing having a capturing notch and a pivotal guide arm. The guide arm may be pivoted to a deployed position. When presented with a line, a water vessel with the line-capturing device may capture the line by deploying the guide arm to guide the line into the notch, where the line is releasably latched. Also included is a system for towing a smaller water vessel to a parent vessel, the smaller water vessel including a device for capturing a line. The line may be attached at one end to the parent vessel.

Abstract: Techniques to annotate street level images with contextual information are described. A map application may comprise a street level component that when executed by a processor is operative to generate annotated street view images of a location. The street level component may comprise a street view component operative to generate a street view image from multiple street level images, the street view image having one or more objects located within the street view image. The street level component may further comprise a metadata component communicatively coupled to the street view component, the metadata component operative to generate a horizontal metadata panel having object metadata positioned in approximate vertical alignment with a corresponding object in the street view image, and combine the horizontal metadata panel with the street view image to form an annotated street view image. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A device may have a plurality of displays, such as a high-power display and a low-power display. The low-power display may be used to display various types of information. Some examples of information that may be displayed on the low-power display include personal customizations of the device (e.g., skins, tattoos, text or graphics, etc.), a battery meter, a signal strength meter, the date and time, or any other type of information. In one example, the device has a separate processor that drives the low-power display, so that the low-power display can be used while the device is in sleep mode or off. In another example, an application that runs on the device's regular processor uses the high- and low-power displays cooperatively to display output from an application. The low-power display can be wrapped around the edges and/or corners of the device, to make effective use of the device's surface area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for allowing sizing adjustment of a filmstrip view, wherein multiple images are displayed simultaneously on a touch screen. In one embodiment, a user can scale images down in a filmstrip view in order to increase a number of visible images. In another embodiment, the scaling of a filmstrip view can be dynamically modified based on scrolling speed. For example, the faster a user flicks a touch screen (i.e., the faster the gesture speed), the smaller the image size of the filmstrip so that more images appear on a single screen. By reducing the size of the images, the user can customize the filmstrip view and scroll through more images at a higher speed without dropping images or information. Additionally, the resolution can remain constant.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for allowing smart phone users to “capture the moment” by allowing easy access to a camera application when a mobile device is in an above-lock (or locked) mode, while also preventing unauthorized access to other smart phone functionality. According to one embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method of operating a mobile device having an above-lock state and a below-lock state comprises receiving input data requesting invocation of an camera application when the mobile device is in the above-lock state and invoking the requested camera application on the device, where one or more functions of the requested application are unavailable as a result of the mobile device being in the above-lock state.

Abstract: Multi-axis navigation techniques are described. In implementations, a user interface is output by a computing device, the user interface includes a first axis and a second axis that include parameters that are navigable via one or more gestures. One or more items are chosen by the computing device for concurrent display with the first and second axes that correspond to a first one of the parameters of the first axis and a second one of the parameters of the second axis.

Abstract: A method and device to permit a water vessel to releasably capture a line. The water vessel may include a step cutout portion to receive a line capturing device. The line capturing device includes a device housing having a capturing notch and a pivotal guide arm. The guide arm may be pivoted to a deployed position. When presented with a line, a water vessel with the line-capturing device may capture the line by deploying the guide arm to guide the line into the notch, where the line is releasably latched. Also included is a system for towing a smaller water vessel to a parent vessel, the smaller water vessel including a device for capturing a line. The line may be attached at one end to the parent vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring a predetermined type of molecule conveyed through a gaseous medium. The method comprises that step of positioning at least one electronic detector for detecting the predetermined type of molecule. The method also comprises the steps of measuring molecules of the predetermined type to detect a quantity of the molecules and producing electronic data associated with the quantity of molecules. The method further comprises the step of monitoring changes in the electronic data so as to provide information that can be used to control a source of the predetermined type of molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detector for detecting molecules conveyed through a gaseous medium. For example, the molecules may be emitted from sewage, meat production plants, or detection of the molecules may give information about a state of health of a human or an animal. The detector comprises sensors which have sensing surfaces. Each sensing surface has an electrical property that changes in response to the molecules when the molecules are coupled to the sensing surface so that the coupled molecules can be sensed by detecting the changed electrical property. The sensors are sensitive for a sulphur compound and for an organic compound. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating a detector for detecting molecules conveyed through the gaseous medium.

Abstract: A method and system for registering information about a variety of property items either centrally or in distributed fashion enables quick notification of proper authorities when the property item is stolen. The system can invoke police authority networks and/or a private security system network. Various types of information can be stored in a central database accessible over a public network such as the Internet, or locally on a personal credential item, such as a security card carried with the owner/user of the property item. Information types can include descriptive textual information, visual information, and auditory information about the property item and its owner or user. When the item is discovered stolen, the card can be scanned at a variety of participating card reader devices, which can include ATM machines, retail point-of-sale scanners, gas station pumps, and any other properly equipped public/private/commercial devices.

Abstract: A method of designing an omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. An omni-directional wheel consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly includes a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. The method of designing achieves constant ride height and low vibration operation by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: An odour sensor utilises an amine or an aldehyde dispersed in a polymer film to detect a vapour phase aldehyde or amine respectively. The amine and aldehyde react to form fluorescent reaction product which is detected by measuring the fluorescence emitted after irradiating the sensor element with UV light. The sensor contains a camera and a programmed cpu to analyse the fluorescence to determine the identity of the vapour phase molecule and its concentration.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly includes a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly comprises a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly comprises a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly comprises a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly comprises a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly comprises a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.