Abstract: A radial based user interface (UI) is provided for entering data into a computer device. The radial based UI has a central region with a plurality of radial regions. A location for the central region is defined on a touch sensitive display screen of the device and a value is assigned to each radial region. When a first touch is detected in the central region of the radial UI, an indication of a radial position responsive to a second touch on the touch sensitive screen may be determined. A value corresponding to the radial position of the second touch may then be input to an application being executed on the device. The first and second touches may be two separate finger taps, or may be sequential portions of a continuous stroke that occurs along one of the plurality of radial regions.

Abstract: A radial based user interface (UI) is provided for entering data into a computer device. The radial based UI has a central region with a plurality of radial regions. A location for the central region is defined on a touch sensitive display screen of the device and a value is assigned to each radial region. When a first touch is detected in the central region of the radial UI, an indication of a radial position responsive to a second touch on the touch sensitive screen may be determined. A value corresponding to the radial position of the second touch may then be input to an application being executed on the device. The first and second touches may be two separate finger taps, or may be sequential portions of a continuous stroke that occurs along one of the plurality of radial regions.

Abstract: A handheld device is configured with a mode indicator to provide an easily seen indication of a defined mode of operation. A command may be received by the handheld device to enter the defined mode of operation. After entering the defined mode of operation, the device may set one or more specific pixels on a display of the handheld device to a predefined color indicative of the defined mode of operation. The mode indicator on the handheld is illuminated by transporting colored light generated by the one or more specific pixels to the mode indicator.

Abstract: A method of bonding or debonding objects includes providing a first object including a first substrate with moveable features thereon which provide an actuated and a non-actuated state having different protrusion from the first substrate or a different curvature. A second object has an array of loops thereon. The moveable features while in one of the actuated state and non-actuated state are positioned, sized and shaped to fit within the loops. The moveable features include or are mechanically coupled to a material which responds to application of an actuating condition including electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field by changing between the actuated state and the non-actuated state. Electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field is automatically applied or changed to trigger a state change between the actuated state and non-actuated state that results in a bonding event or a debonding event between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for remotely managing functional modes of devices. A device may receive commands remotely to initiate a particular functional mode when the device is within the proximity of a given location. The commands may be provided to the device via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or proximity based wireless communication networks.

Abstract: A touch and slide user interface (TSUI) is provided for entering data into a computer device. A tap and hold gesture from a first finger on a touch sensitive display screen of the device is detected to initiate the TSUI. A sliding gesture by a second finger touching the touch sensitive display screen is detected. A virtual wheel is rotated on the touch sensitive display screen in response to the sliding gesture, in which the virtual wheel has a set of characters positioned around its edge. Different ones of the set of characters are indicated for selection in response to rotating the virtual wheel. One of the set of characters is selected for inputting to the device by detecting when the second finger is lifted from the touch sensitive screen.

Abstract: A handheld device is configured with a mode indicator to provide an easily seen indication of a defined mode of operation. A command may be received by the handheld device to enter the defined mode of operation. After entering the defined mode of operation, the device may set one or more specific pixels on a display of the handheld device to a predefined color indicative of the defined mode of operation. The mode indicator on the handheld is illuminated by transporting colored light generated by the one or more specific pixels to the mode indicator.

Abstract: A method of bonding or debonding objects includes providing a first object including a first substrate with moveable features thereon which provide an actuated and a non-actuated state having different protrusion from the first substrate or a different curvature. A second object has an array of loops thereon. The moveable features while in one of the actuated state and non-actuated state are positioned, sized and shaped to fit within the loops. The moveable features include or are mechanically coupled to a material which responds to application of an actuating condition including electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field by changing between the actuated state and the non-actuated state. Electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field is automatically applied or changed to trigger a state change between the actuated state and non-actuated state that results in a bonding event or a debonding event between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A method of bonding or debonding objects includes providing a first object including a first substrate with moveable features thereon which provide an actuated and a non-actuated state having different protrusion from the first substrate or a different curvature. A second object has an array of loops thereon. The moveable features while in one of the actuated state and non-actuated state are positioned, sized and shaped to fit within the loops. The moveable features include or are mechanically coupled to a material which responds to application of an actuating condition including electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field by changing between the actuated state and the non-actuated state. Electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field is automatically applied or changed to trigger a state change between the actuated state and non-actuated state that results in a bonding event or a debonding event between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A method of bonding or debonding objects includes providing a first object including a first substrate with moveable features thereon which provide an actuated and a non-actuated state having different protrusion from the first substrate or a different curvature. A second object has an array of loops thereon. The moveable features while in one of the actuated state and non-actuated state are positioned, sized and shaped to fit within the loops. The moveable features include or are mechanically coupled to a material which responds to application of an actuating condition including electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field by changing between the actuated state and the non-actuated state. Electrical current, temperature, or an electromagnetic field is automatically applied or changed to trigger a state change between the actuated state and non-actuated state that results in a bonding event or a debonding event between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A device having a display screen may be operated in a partial view mode to reduce power dissipation. An application on the device may be performed while displaying results of the application on the entire display screen during a full view mode of operation. At some point while in full view mode, it may be determined that the results of the application may be displayed on a limited portion of the display screen. An unneeded portion of the display screen may then be turned off such that the results of the application are displayed only on the limited portion of the display screen while in a partial view mode of operation. When more information needs to be displayed, the device may return to full view mode.

Abstract: A radial based user interface (UI) is provided for entering data into a computer device. The radial based UI has a central region with a plurality of radial regions. A location for the central region is defined on a touch sensitive display screen of the device and a value is assigned to each radial region. When a first touch is detected in the central region of the radial UI, an indication of a radial position responsive to a second touch on the touch sensitive screen may be determined. A value corresponding to the radial position of the second touch may then be input to an application being executed on the device. The first and second touches may be two separate finger taps, or may be sequential portions of a continuous stroke that occurs along one of the plurality of radial regions.

Abstract: A mobile device, such as a smartphone, may be provided with a camera. Embodiments of the invention allow the smartphone to display a screen image of a document that includes an expression or an equation on a display screen of the smartphone and then to provide an indication of a real-time solution to the equation that is shown on the display screen. In some embodiments, the screen image may be provided by the camera in the smartphone that is viewing a surface upon which the equation is written. When the expression does not include a solution, then the real time solution may be superimposed on the screen to complete the equation. When the equation does include a solution, then an indication of correctness may be superimposed on the screen image of the equation.