Abstract: A virtual window manager having a substantially unconstrained active area is provided for managing windows and icon objects. The user is provided options for “carving out” regions of this unconstrained area for placing objects. The carved out regions, or “tunnels”, provide the user with a path for subsequently navigating back to each placed object. These tunnels are of arbitrary shape and size, at the user's discretion, as are the shapes of the placed objects. Using the analogy of tunnels, access control can be embodied in the size or shape of each tunnel, wherein individual users possess different spelunking capabilities. Using different colors or textures to distinguish the carved out regions from the undisturbed active areas, the display of select areas can provide for visually interesting effects, and allows for the creative presentation of windows and icons on a user's computer system.

Abstract: An apparatus including a controller having an input for receiving an input signal is disclosed, the input signal having an audio component. A housing having an outer surface on which is fixed a conforming and surface covering light output device is also provided, whereby the controller enables creation of a visually dynamic decorative pattern on the surface of the housing dependent on the input signal and under the control of software programs. The controller enables creation of a visually dynamic decorative pattern on the surface of the housing dependent on the signal and under the control of pattern producing software. The input signal can be an audio, video, and/or environmental input signal. The output device can be visual display, audio speaker array, scent generator, and/or tactile device.

Abstract: A graphics model of an elephant is made by using bitmap silhouettes of a physical model of an elephant in different orientations to carve away voxels from a voxel block. This gives an intuitively simple tool to enable a user to create graphics representations of physical objects for use in, e.g., virtual environment and in video games.

Abstract: A virtual window manager having a substantially unconstrained active area is provided for managing windows and icon objects. The user is provided options for “carving out” regions of this unconstrained area for placing objects. The carved out regions, or “tunnels”, provide the user with a path for subsequently navigating back to each placed object. These tunnels are of arbitrary shape and size, at the user's discretion, as are the shapes of the placed objects. Using the analogy of tunnels, access control can be embodied in the size or shape of each tunnel, wherein individual users possess different spelunking capabilities. Using different colors or textures to distinguish the carved out regions from the undisturbed active areas, the display of select areas can provide for visually interesting effects, and allows for the creative presentation of windows and icons on a user's computer system.

Abstract: A rendering system models a glyph as a continuous mass, upon which forces act. Each pixel has the ability to exert a force on the glyph. If the pixel is entirely covered by a glyph, it is ‘stable’, and exerts no force. If the pixel is partially covered by a glyph, it exerts a force on the glyph, in an attempt to move the glyph until the pixel is completely covered. The strength of the force is dependent upon the amount of coverage of the pixel, and the direction of the force is dependent upon the location of the coverage of the pixel. Because all of the partially covered pixels exert a force on the glyph to maximize their coverage by the glyph, the glyph will move in the direction corresponding to a vector sum of the individual forces, until an equilibrium point is reached.

Abstract: An apparatus including a controller having an input for receiving an input signal is disclosed, the input signal having an audio component. A housing having an outer surface on which is fixed a conforming and surface covering light output device is also provided, whereby the controller enables creation of a visually dynamic decorative pattern on the surface of the housing dependent on the input signal and under the control of software programs. The controller enables creation of a visually dynamic decorative pattern on the surface of the housing dependent on the signal and under the control of pattern producing software. The input signal can be an audio, video, and/or environmental input signal. The output device can be visual display, audio speaker array, scent generator, and/or tactile device.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a data set of infinite extent on a display means of finite dimensions, and for providing navigation and magnification of the data set. The system comprises a control unit that receives a data set that is too large to display on a display of finite dimensions. The control unit maps at least a displayable portion of data points contained in the data set onto the display by applying a mathematical equation comprising a nonlinear and continuous mathematical function having a finite range and at least one independent variable of infinite domain. The displayable portion of the data points is displayable on the display and is determined by selecting one of the data points in the data set to correspond to a reference position on the display. The data set is traversed on the display by changing the selected data point that corresponds to the reference position.

Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for high-latency computer clients in a multi-player electronic game played on a plurality of terminals connected by a network. A latency value is determined for computer clients operating the terminals. Then a latency compensation factor is determined from the latency value for each client computer. The playing modality of a client computer can then be adjusted based on the latency compensation factor.

Abstract: A graphics model of an elephant is made by using bitmap silhouettes of a physical model of an elephant in different orientations to carve away voxels from a voxel block. This gives an intuitively simple tool to enable a user to create graphics representations of physical objects for use in, e.g., virtual environment and in video games.

Abstract: A method of compensating for high-latency computer clients in a multi-player electronic game played on a plurality of terminals connected by a network. The method includes: (a) determining a latency value for a plurality of computer clients operating said plurality of terminals; (b) determining a latency compensation factor from said determined latency value for each of said plurality of computer clients; and ĉ adjusting a playing modality for at least one of said plurality of computer clients responsive to said determined latency compensation factor.

Abstract: On a Web document a user interface element such as a link or hypertext link is associated with a first path leading to a first resource. Similarly in a list of bookmarks, a bookmark is associated with a first path leading to a first resource. If the first path is invalid, the element is associated with a valid sub-path of the first path. A visual indicator may be caused to indicate the level of validity of the first path. The first path associated with the element may be replaced by the valid sub-path. The first path may comprise a series of hierarchical locations on a network. The sub-path may be derived from the original path by going up at least one location in the series of hierarchical locations.

Abstract: A system for creating a virtual model of a physical structure in accordance with the present invention comprises a baseboard; at least one sensor providing sensor data; at least one building component capable of being sensed by the sensor and mountable on the baseboard; a computer interfaced with and receiving data from the sensor, for determining the position and dimensions of each component mounted on the baseboard based on the sensor data; and wherein the computer creates a virtual model to be displayed on a computer display of a structure composed of each of the components mounted on the baseboard based on the position and dimensions of each of the components. The building components comprise electrical contact points having electrical signatures. The sensor is a circuit board connected to a power source and comprises a voltmeter, an ammeter, a switching network and a processor receiving data from the voltmeter and for controlling the voltmeter, ammeter and the switching network.

Abstract: A security system for a home simulates usage of appliances to give the impression that someone is present. The system comprises a monitor for monitoring events indicative of state changes of the appliances during operational use of the appliance by a user; a storage for storing information about the events; an information processing component for creating a temporal pattern of usage based on the stored information; and a control interface for controlling the appliance according to the pattern in the absence of the user.

Abstract: A CE device has a generator for generating data to create an on-screen menu for a GUI. These data is transferred via the Internet to a remote location where the user is given visual feedback for control of the apparatus. Control is achieved via the Internet and a home server driving an IR blaster local to the apparatus.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method enabling a participant to control the multi-dimensional kinetics of their avatar in a virtual environment. The participant accomplishes this control by selectably transitioning among various movements (“motion states”) from which are derived avatar motions and motion-related positions. The participant's motion states not only comprise interaction data and are correlated to avatar motion, but also are associated with selected, minimal actual motion in the participant's physical surroundings. The apparatus comprises a mount, a motion base and a support: the mount interfaces with the participant, enabling the participant to have a selected range of motion; the motion base is disposed relative to the mount so as to enable contact with the participant and, associated with such contact, provides for detection of the motion states; and the support couples the mount and the motion base so as to provide the relative disposition thereof.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method enabling a participant to control the multi-dimensional kinetics of their avatar in a virtual environment. The participant accomplishes this control by selectably transitioning among various movements (“motion states”) from which are derived avatar motions and motion-related positions. The participant's motion states not only comprise interaction data and are correlated to avatar motion, but also are associated with selected, minimal actual motion in the participant's physical surroundings. The apparatus comprises a mount, a motion base and a support: the mount interfaces with the participant, enabling the participant to have a selected range of motion; the motion base is disposed relative to the mount so as to enable contact with the participant and, associated with such contact, provides for detection of the motion states; and the support couples the mount and the motion base so as to provide the relative disposition thereof.

Abstract: An image is transferred from a sender to a receiver. The image is progressively re-created at a display of the receiver. First, a low-resolution full-color representation of the image is transferred. Then, a full-resolution limited-color representation of the image is sent. The pixel values of the full-resolution representation typically represent alpha-numerical characters or edges of features. The representations are combined to create a version of the image by modifying the pixels of first representation under control of the limited-color content of the spatially corresponding pixel of the second representation. The legibility of the combined image is achieved considerably faster than with conventional techniques.