Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of accurately determining the spatial location of an RFID tag in two-dimensions or three-dimensions. The method utilizes a plurality of RFID readers to make a plurality of distance, direction, and or time-of-flight determinations. Such determinations are made by sending a request signal from one of the plurality of RFID readers and listening for a response signal from an RFID tag received at each of the plurality of RFID readers. Correction factors are then determined and the time-of-flight factors adjusted. The adjusted time-of-flight factors are then used to determine more accurately the distances between the RFID tag and each of the plurality of RFID readers. These more accurate distance measurements are then used to determine the spatial location of the RFID tag.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that coordinate the operation of multiple search engines through portions of a multimedia object based on the anticipated accuracy of each search engine. One feature of the present invention provides a content management system that efficiently archives and retrieves multimedia content, for example, based on a confidence level or index. As multimedia content is generated, it is analyzed and cataloged into a set of indexes based on the analysis and confidence level of the analysis. The multimedia content is then stored into one or more databases. When one or more items are requested by a query, the query is analyzed and broken down into components or subqueries. These components or subqueries can then be routed to one or more appropriate search engine as a function of the confidence index. The results from the search engines are then gathered and compiled for presentation to a user.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of accurately determining the spatial location of an RFID tag in two-dimensions or three-dimensions. The method utilizes a plurality of RFID readers to make a plurality of distance, direction, and or time-of-flight determinations. Such determinations are made by sending a request signal from one of the plurality of RFID readers and listening for a response signal from an RFID tag received at each of the plurality of RFID readers. Correction factors are then determined and the time-of-flight factors adjusted. The adjusted time-of-flight factors are then used to determine more accurately the distances between the RFID tag and each of the plurality of RFID readers. These more accurate distance measurements are then used to determine the spatial location of the RFID tag.

Abstract: An interactive video system supports functions typically expected with a VCR such as play, pause, fast forward and rewind. A set top box is coupled to a display terminal and a first interface. The set top box includes a memory for storing an operating system in set top enabling codes. A video dial tone network includes a control channel and a data channel coupled to a second interface linked to the first interface. A first gateway controls establishment of a video session between a video server and the display terminal. A second gateway establishes connection between the video server and the set top box over a data channel in response to an input from the first gateway. An application server coupled to the first gateway and the video server contains executable code for transferring video data, video and audio information from the video server to the display terminal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dynamically labeling touch sensitive buttons in a digitizing display. The display is partitioned into a main panel display region and a button panel display region. A touch overlay is also partitioned into a main panel touch region and a main panel display region. A button panel driver program defines button touch areas and button display areas enabling the dynamic labeling and relabeling of the touch sensitive buttons and the simultaneous touching of combinations of the buttons with either a touch input or a stylus input to the overlay.

Abstract: Improvements in the art of sensor and display technology now make the implementation of a workpad concept feasible. While prior art touch displays are acceptable for short, casual use tasks, they may not be feasible or suited for intensive use tasks. Recent improvements in the optical qualities (brightness, contrast, viewing cone) of flat panel displays, such as LCDs, allow implementing a touch screen for use in a horizontal orientation. This greatly improves the human factors for applications involving extensive pointing, drawing, or writing.

Abstract: An architecture for communication of remote devices to a digitizing display includes a contact sensing mechanism and a position sensing mechanism whose outputs are multiplexed for transmission from the stylus to an antenna located proximate to the digitizing display. The digitizing display also includes a transmitter for transmitting information from a pen-based computer system to the stylus for storage or utilization in the stylus.

Abstract: An improved stylus detection system for use on the surface of a display device. An overlay having horizontal and vertical transparent conductors is coupled to other elements of the systems through a bus having a minimal number of bus wires. A control processor issues command signal which selectively couple transparent conductors to a radiative measuring device to determine stylus position accurately. The system includes a radiative pickup stylus having a spherical antenna which receive the overlay signal independent of the angle at which it is held. Further, a contact detecting mode has been added to eliminate spurious contact position measured between strokes, when the stylus is proximate to but not in contact with the overlay.

Abstract: An improved finger touch and stylus detection system for use on the surface of a display device is disclosed. An overlay having horizontal and vertical transparent conductors is coupled to the other elements of the system through a bus having a minimum number of bus wires. A control processor issues command signals which selectively couples the transparent conductors to a capacitive measuring device and a radiative measuring device to determine finger and stylus position respectively. The improvements to the system include a radiative stylus having a spherical antenna which receives the overlay signal independent of the angle at which it is held. Further, a contact detecting mode has been added to eliminate spurious stylus positions measured between strokes, when the stylus is proximate to but not in contact with the overlay.