Abstract: A system shows messages on electronic displays, including networks of outdoor displays, such as displays mounted on vehicles. With such vehicle displays, a display's current geographical location can be sensed, such as by a GPS receiver in the vehicle or by multiple wireless receivers separate from the vehicle. The sensed location can then be used to select which messages are shown the display. Different values can be associated with showing messages on displays at different locations and times, and values associated with the locations and time through which a display travels can be summed, such as for charging advertisers or crediting vehicle operators. The system can be controlled by a computer system, such as an e-commerce site, which allows advertisers to upload message content, select messages, and select the time and place at which a messages is to be shown, either directly or by specifying criteria for the system to select such times and places.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for managing information through the use of physical objects. An Informative Thing that is a physical object stores a pointer thereon, and the pointer is used to retrieve information associated with the Informative Thing from a network-based system. The Informative Thing provides a user interface that gives the impression of storing information on the physical object, when, in reality, the system stores the information in the network. By hiding the details of information retrieval, information management is greatly simplified. By linking the physical and virtual worlds, users' highly-developed ability to work in the real world is leveraged.

Abstract: A graphical user interface includes a plurality of pie menu levels concentrically arranged. Located within the center most section are menu selections generally of greater importance, highest probability of use, historical favorites, category headings, tabs from a tab menu, as well as other high level menu items. Levels extending from the center decrease in frequency of use while increasing in granularity of menu items. Variations in geometric shapes, number of divisions, levels, use of color or texture enhance the use of the pie menus.

Abstract: A system for publicly displaying messages includes one or more mobile units, each including an automotive vehicle carrying a publicly visible electronic display; a computer for controlling the images shown on the display; and a radio for transmitting and receiving information, including information about which messages should be shown on the mobile unit's display. A central system receives and sends information to radios on the mobile units to control what messages they display. In some embodiments the mobile unit includes programming to enable a remote computer, such as a central system computer, to have remote access over the radio to commands of the mobile unit's computer's operating system. In some embodiments, the information transmitted by a mobile unit's radio includes information about the status of the mobile unit's computer. This can include how much more room its memory has, how utilized its CPU is, how much radio traffic it is having, what display message it is currently showing, etc.

Abstract: A graphical user interface includes a plurality of pie menu levels concentrically arranged. Located within the center most section are menu selections generally of greater importance, highest probability of use, historical favorites, category headings, tabs from a tab menu, as well as other high level menu items. Levels extending from the center decrease in frequency of use while increasing in granularity of menu items. Variations in geometric shapes, number of divisions, levels, use of color or texture enhance the use of the pie menus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of adjusting the height and/or angle of a keyboard/wrist rest during use. A modified standard keyboard includes a processor, motors, motor controllers, and height adjusting legs to create a keyboard device which changes angle over time. In an alternative embodiment, a retrofit solution for existing keyboards is disclosed. The keyboard may be adjusted incrementally, infinitely, by a pattern, or impulse over a period of time.

Abstract: A force transducer includes an elongated lever arm attached to a substrate having a central portion and substantially planar tab regions that project outwardly from the central portion along first and second orthogonal force-detecting axes. The substrate undergoes localized strain approximately at the junctions of the tab regions and the central portion when an external force is applied to the free end of the lever arm. A thick film strain gauge material is screen printed directly onto the substrate in at least a first location and a second location and conductive pads on the substrate are electrically coupled to the thick film strain gauge material at each location to define a first strain gauge oriented along the first force detecting axis and a second strain gauge oriented along the second force detecting axis. The lever arm can be of a compliant construction to provide proprioreceptive feedback to a user.

Abstract: Input force applied on a pointing device (51) having outputs (x,y) is related to the velocity of a cursor on a video screen according to a transfer function (FIG. 2) substantially described by a parabolic sigmoid function, thus resulting in adapting the force/velocity relationship to accommodate human perception and motor control limitations and task specific coordination problems.

Abstract: An intraoral interactive communication system wherein through a mouthpiece tongue pressure coded electrical signals are delivered to a processor. The mouthpiece is constructed to conform to the shape of the roof of the mouth, and is positioned behind the upper teeth. The mouthpiece is laminar in structure with an array of pressure responsive locations. A separate pressure responsive location is provided which may actuate a head aimed light. A display is connected to the processor and viewable by the human communicator providing feedback to the communicator.

Abstract: A pointer system provides multiple display pointers that can be created and identified by a computer user such that each pointer is associated with a particular application and location within an application. A user can recall respective pointers and pointer locations by selecting a pointer identifier. One or more of the pointers can be defined as anchored pointers, which are associated with one or more user actions. The user actions can comprise a variety of functions, including mouse button clicks. In this way, a user can define anchored pointers and carry out a string of user actions by selecting the identifying character of an anchored pointer.

Abstract: A pre-connected pointing device assembly retrofitable onto the keyboard of an existing computer system includes an analog input unit and a digital input unit physically and electrically interconnected to a data processing unit by flexible bands. The units and flexible bands are adhesively secured to the keyboard. The analog input unit is placed between two of the keys of the keyboard and the digital input unit is placed at the edge of the keypad area, preferably below the space bar. The data processing unit can be configured to fit in a recess at the rear of the keyboard.

Abstract: A stowable wrist support assembly for a portable computer of the type having a bottom housing with top and bottom surfaces connected by a vertical peripheral side surface and having a keyboard on the top surface extending to a front edge and a top housing pivotally mounted to a back edge of the bottom housing, the support assembly comprises a generally thin flat panel having generally planar top support surface, a rear edge formed with a lip for detachably engaging and latching behind a shoulder proximate the front edge of the lower housing, and a panel support member extending downward from beneath the panel for engaging a lower front edge of the lower housing for supporting the panel in an outward position substantially in the plane of the keyboard.

Abstract: Enhanced visibility of icons and other types of menu items is provided by increasing size and or skew or both of one or more icons or menu items in a generally inverse relation to proximity of a cursor image address to particular icons or menu items. Increase of size enhances user recognition of an ordinarily small menu item or icon and simultaneously provides the effect of stabilizing cursor position during selection without affecting linearity of response to a graphic input device. Skew and repeated expansion may be used to attract user attention while repeated expansion simplifies icon manipulation by the user in determining a response to a mandatory input demand from an application.

Abstract: A test assembly suitable for life testing a computer pointing stick includes a rigid shaft that is rotated by a motor and a mounting mechanism for holding and positioning the pointing stick under test in a coaxial relationship with the rigid shaft. A cantilever spring arm is rigidly connected at one end to the rigid shaft so that it rotates with the rigid shaft and is mechanically coupled under lateral spring tension at its other end to the pointing stick. The spring rotates with the rigid shaft and applies lateral force to the pointing stick via a collar attached to the pointing stick, the direction of the applied force rotating with the rigid shaft and cantilever spring. A counter records the cumulative number of flexure cycles required to make the pointing stick functionally fail.

Abstract: An induction device has an elongated core made of two or more uniform ferromagnetic spaced-apart toroids. A first winding around the core creates an inductor. When the induction device includes a second winding, a transformer is created. The transformer acts as a powercord transformer when the exposed ends of one winding are available at one end of the elongated core for connection to a source of alternating current and the exposed ends of the other winding are available at the other end of the core for connection to a load. An inductor with a single-turn winding can be constructed by first forming the core by stacking two or more ferromagnetic toroids end-to-end and spaced apart, then threading two wires through the core center and placing two wires outside the core and connecting the ends of the wires to create the winding. A transformer can be constructed by first following the steps to create an inductor. A second winding is then created in a similar manner as the first winding.

Abstract: A sensor device is placed either underneath a key cap of a key on a keyboard or in between two keys on a keyboard so that cursor movement may be carried out from the keyboard itself. If the sensor device is placed underneath a key cap, then the key cap is a manual cursor controller. If, on the other hand, the sensor device is placed in between two keys, a joystick is used as a manual cursor controller.

Abstract: A hand held control device formed as a rigid body adapted to be gripped and carried by a single hand of a user and comprising a plurality of control elements operable by the thumb or a finger of the user's hand gripping and carrying the body, a pointing stick and a chirality detector for sensing whether a right or left hand is gripping and carrying the body for controlling the flow of information to or from a computer.

Abstract: A strain sensitive columnar transducer for a data entry keyboard contains a column upstanding from the keyboard. Strain sensitive orthogonally oriented patterns are formed on a single flexible planar sheet which is sliced to place each of the patterns on a separate tab. The planar sheet is forced over the column so that the patterns lie up against the sides of the column to measure force exerted on the column.

Abstract: An electrical plug selectively insertable into receptacles having different configurations of apertures for effecting selectable electrical connections. A plurality of contact prongs have extended positions in which they project exteriorly of a housing. Each of an appropriate subset of these prongs is adapted automatically to sense and enter matching apertures of a selected receptacle. The remaining prongs during such entry are moved inward of the housing by contact with and movement relative to a surface of the selected receptacle adjacent to the apertures, and cause prongs of the subset to be locked in their extended positions as they enter the matching apertures.

Abstract: An elongated ferromagnetic core is surrounded by two windings. Optional separators separate the core from the windings and one winding from the other winding. A tube-like ferromagnetic sheath covers the windings and core. The sheath and core are connected, preferably at both ends. At one end, one winding may be connected to a plug for connecting to a wall outlet for supplying an alternating current thereto. At the other end, the other winding may be connected to an external load for providing a voltage thereto. Optionally, an electrically insulating, thermally conductive, outer cover covers the ferromagnetic sheath. In a first embodiment, one winding is surrounded by the other winding. In a second embodiment, one winding surrounds a portion of the core and the other winding surrounds another portion of the core.