Abstract: A display may have a pixel array such as a liquid crystal pixel array. The pixel array may be illuminated with backlight illumination from a direct-lit backlight unit. The backlight unit may include an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on a printed circuit board. The display may have a notch to accommodate an input-output component. Reflective layers may be included in the notch. The backlight may include a color conversion layer with a property that varies as a function of position. The light-emitting diodes may be covered by a slab of encapsulant with recesses in an upper surface.

Abstract: An optical fingertip tracker, which may be a pseudo trackball, responds to the motion of the texture on one of the user's digits pressed against an image input aperture to produce motion signals processed within an appliance to be controlled. The appliance may have a minimal GUI, such as an LCD display having only a modest number of low resolution pixel locations and/or preestablished characters or icons. An appliance control parameter is set or adjusted in response to translation of the fingertip along a particular axis. E.g., to enter a parameter value (volume) a changing bar graph can be displayed. The display might even be omitted; to set the tone control of an audio appliance it can be sufficient to simply adjust the tone until the result is as desired. A numeric display of control parameter digits may be desirable, as when moving the fingertip tunes a receiver. There can be several particular axes along which fingertip movement changes an associated appliance control parameter.

Abstract: An optical fingertip tracker, which may be a pseudo trackball, responds to the motion of the texture on one of the user's digits pressed against an image input aperture to produce motion signals processed within an appliance to be controlled. The appliance may have a minimal GUI, such as an LCD display having only a modest number of low resolution pixel locations and/or preestablished characters or icons. An appliance control parameter is set or adjusted in response to translation ofthe fingertip along a particular axis. E.g., to enter a parameter value (volume) a changing bar graph can be displayed. The display might even be omitted; to set the tone control of an audio appliance it can be sufficient to simply adjust the tone until the result is as desired. A numeric display of control parameter digits may be desirable, as when moving the fingertip tunes a receiver. There can be several particular axes along which fingertip movement changes an associated appliance control parameter.

Abstract: A general purpose laminated construction block element is constructed from discarded rubber-like material such as tire casings or belt conveyor straps. Tire casings are first cut open and laid flat to form flattened mats. The mats are then stacked and secured into blocks suitable for transport and storage. The blocks may be later disassembled and the individual mats spirally wound to form cylindrical posts. Alternately, the blocks may be used as formed for general purpose construction blocks. The properties of the laminated block can be adjusted by adjusting the properties of an adhesive which is applied to one surface of the mat prior to stacking. The laminated rubber blocks may be formed to predetermined sizes by appropriately preconfiguring the mat by juxtaposing or superposing multiple single tire mats. The laminated rubber-like blocks have excellent strength, impact and vibration absorbtion, and machinability.

Abstract: A flywheel with electric batteries mounted thereon is provided for an electrical vehicle. The flywheel incorporates the weight of the batteries to store kinetic energy. The flywheel is suspended by magnetic force and is rotated about a central flywheel shaft. The flywheel shaft is fitted with an electric drive motor, a hydraulic pump and a generator. The electric vehicle utilizes the energy stored in the spinning flywheel to supply peak electrical demand during the acceleration of the vehicle. When the vehicle stops the flywheel energy recharges the electrical batteries. The flywheel is driven by the electric drive motor. The hydraulic pump is used to drive a hydraulic motor which in turn drives the vehicle wheels. When the hydraulic motor brakes the wheels, kinetic energy is stored into the flywheel. The generator supplies supplemental vehicle power.

Abstract: A general purpose construction element such as a post, pole, or beam is constructed from discarded used tire casings. Tire casings are first cut open and laid flat to form a mat. Then they are spirally wound in the fashion of a jelly roll so as to form a laminated composite post. The properties of the rolled post can be adjusted by adjusting the properties of the adhesive which is applied to one surface of the mat prior to rolling. The laminated rubber posts may rolled to predetermined sizes by appropriately preconfiguring the mat by juxtaposing or superposing multiple single tire mats. The laminated rubber posts have excellent strength, impact and vibration absorption, and machinability. The recycling of such non-degradable waste material as well as the provision of a superior replacement for natural wood is a double edged boon to the ecology.