Abstract: A user is provided with the capability to view only those segments of TV broadcast programs and/or pre-recorded digital programs that are identified by the user (or other persons, e.g., parents) as acceptable. Preferences for the types of material that is desired for viewing are provided. The provider analyzes a selected program and creates a user specific segmentation file that, when played along with the recorded program, causes the program to automatically skip specific types of material (e.g., commercials, violence, pornography, etc.) and/or jumps to specific material desirable without the user having to intercede during the viewing. The segmentation file is distributed to the user and the user provides a fee to the provider for making and distributing this customized segmentation file.

Abstract: A user is provided with the capability to view only those segments of TV broadcast programs and/or pre-recorded digital programs that are identified by the user (or other persons, e.g., parents) as acceptable. Preferences for the types of material that is desired for viewing are provided. The provider analyzes a selected program and creates a user specific segmentation file that, when played along with the recorded program, causes the program to automatically skip specific types of material (e.g., commercials, violence, pornography, etc.) and/or jumps to specific material desirable without the user having to intercede during the viewing. The segmentation file is distributed to the user and the user provides a fee to the provider for making and distributing this customized segmentation file.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive display device includes a display. A transparent plate is provided in front of the display. A tactile sensor senses a touch event. One or more infrared sensors are positioned in front of the transparent plate. The one or more infrared sensors identify a location of the touch event when the tactile sensor detects a touch event.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive display device includes a display. A transparent plate is provided in front of the display. A tactile sensor senses a touch event. One or more infrared sensors are positioned in front of the transparent plate. The one or more infrared sensors identify a location of the touch event when the tactile sensor detects a touch event.

Abstract: A user is provided with the capability to view only those segments of TV broadcast programs and/or pre-recorded digital programs that are identified by the user (or other persons, e.g., parents) as acceptable. Preferences for the types of material that is desired for viewing are provided. The provider analyzes a selected program and creates a user specific segmentation file that, when played along with the recorded program, causes the program to automatically skip specific types of material (e.g., commercials, violence, pornography, etc.) and/or jumps to specific material desirable without the user having to intercede during the viewing. The segmentation file is distributed to the user and the user provides a fee to the provider for making and distributing this customized segmentation file.

Abstract: Users with disabilities that hinder them from using a mouse or other pointing device are aided by a system that minimizes the effect of hand tremors or other motion difficulties on the display produced by a pointing device; in which the mouse automatically adjusts on the fly to the user's habits; the mouse properties automatically adjust to the type of object being selected; and the mouse output is processed by a smoothing filter to suppress small variations about the intended motion.

Abstract: A system and method of improving the accessibility of Web sites and pages through the use of accessibility descriptors that can be assigned to a Web site and/or each page of a Web site. The descriptors enable the page(s) of the site to be assessed and then displayed according to a particular user's needs, or if appropriate may notify the user if a page cannot be used or rendered more accessible. The system can be set up to require a user fee for the service, thus encouraging Web creators to design Web pages that can be modified in accordance with the accessibility descriptors.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display, in accordance with the present invention, includes a first substrate having a first conductive layer formed thereon. A linearization pattern is formed on the first conductive layer for applying voltage gradients across the first conductive layer. A flexible polarizer is included having a second conductive layer formed thereon facing the first conductive layer across a gap formed therebetween, the polarizer providing a contact surface such that a touched position on the polarizer causes contact between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer thereby identifying a location of the touched position.

Abstract: Assistive motion data processing and/or button data processing is performed in an adapter on user inputted variable data produced by a pointing device prior to communication to a computer. This processing may include one or more of processing to filter coordinate deviations from a desired path caused by unintended movements of the pointing device; removal of unintentional rapid button transitions of the pointing device; look-back processing to correct for unintentional pointer coordinate motion induced by operation of buttons on the pointing device; and detection of button double-clicks using relaxed requirements on motion and timing. The adapter's processing is transparent to the computer. Provision for user input of selected parameters is provided, as well as switching to allow for user deactivation of the adapter for conventional use of the pointing device.

Abstract: A computer-input stylus which provides visual color feedback when utilized in conjunction with a computer-implemented software-based drawing application. The input stylus includes a cylindrical body in a conical tip. A color display within the stylus is utilized to illuminate the conical tip with a color indicative of a currently selected color within the software-based drawing application, providing visual color feedback. The color display is implemented utilizing multiple light-emitting diodes or an active matrix liquid crystal display mounted within an optically transparent portion of the conical tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a position of a member contacting a touch screen includes determining initial coordinates of the member at a first time, determining subsequent coordinates of the member at a subsequent time, and defining possible coordinates of the member to be between the initial coordinates and subsequent coordinates, then redetermining subsequent coordinates of the member at a further subsequent time, and redefining possible coordinates of the member to be between redetermined subsequent coordinates and previously defined possible coordinates. Redetermining subsequent coordinates and redefining possible coordinates may be repeated until subsequent coordinates and redefined coordinates are within a predetermined distance for a predetermined number of repetitions. The method and apparatus may be reinitialized if subsequent coordinates are beyond a specified distance of previously determined possible coordinates.

Abstract: A method displays a visual "trail" (12b) behind a moving cursor (12a) so that the cursor does not disappear from a liquid crystal display (12) during rapid cursor movement. The method interpolates and displays one or more intermediate cursor locations between a previous cursor location and a present cursor location. A method also extrapolates one or more future cursor locations (12c) from a present location and prematurely turns on, or biases, pixels located at the extrapolated future locations so that a significantly shorter period of time is required to cause the pixels to become visually distinct. The method also interpolates intermediate cursor locations between the present location and the one or more extrapolated locations and prematurely turns on the pixels at the interpolated locations.

Abstract: An acoustic contact sensor for handwritten computer input is disclosed herein. The contact sensor comprises ultrasonic sending transducer means, receiving transducer means and circuit means for providing a logic signal to a computer when contact is made. The sending and receiver transducer means can either individually be coupled to a pen stylus or writing and/or display surface.

Abstract: User-machine interaction through a touch input display screen is enhanced through the use of surface coding in the form of stylus diameter or reflectivity peripheral surface features that are sensed in optical sensing apparatus.

Abstract: The location of an object in a work area is established by sweeping a single light beam over the area and employing in coordinate calculations the rotational arc of the light source, and the serial events of the light variation when the beam is reflected from a mirror positioned on the opposite periphery intersects the object and the light variation when the beam directly intersects the object.

Abstract: The calibration of a force sensing type data input device through the use of at least one correction developed by minimization of differences between an actual location of a pattern of test forces and a calculated location of the test forces where the calculation is on the basis of the effect of the test forces on the equilibrium of the device.

Abstract: A piezoelectric touch screen assembly can be attached to mounting ears on an ordinary CRT assembly. The touch screen assembly includes a frame, a glass plate which is seated on a gasket at one surface of the frame and a plurality of piezoelectric elements which are bonded to the glass plate and are "trapped" between the CRT face and the glass plate. Studs extend outwardly from the CRT ears through openings in the frame. Coil springs are placed on the studs and are trapped by washer nuts to load the touch screen assembly toward the CRT by a predetermined amount. Grommets with a unique cross sectional configuration are mounted at the openings through the frame. The grommet is designed to provide minimal resistance to movement of the touch screen assembly toward or away from the CRT face but greater resistance to movement of the assembly in other directions.

Abstract: Correlation of light beam movement with electrical timing in a light beam interrupt data input interface device is provided by determining the magnitude of an angular difference between the electrical system and a line through the scanning axis for use as a correction factor. The correlation principle involves a combination of measurement with respect to the electrical system and the application of geometric principles to provide a correction factor.

Abstract: Information is transferred interactively between a user and an information processor by establishing the direction of the user's gaze or visual focus with relation to portions of a viewing surface and thereafter the direction of the user's gaze or visual focus to a specific portion of the viewing surface conveys information. The direction of a user's gaze is established through a reflected signal from the operator's eyeball.

Abstract: An interface and terminal are provided between data processing operations and the movement of an indicator member of stylus. The interface and terminal identifies the coordinates of the position of the stylus by the angles that a light beam reflected from the stylus makes with a reference and uses a history of coordinate data for specific coordinate selection. The stylus position is sensed by interruption of light. The terminal retains and displays a trace of the stylus movement. The interface and terminal are useful both for manual to computer input, and, for remote data processing to mechanical movement, such as in displays and manufacturing operations. Accuracy of the order of 0.01 inches in 12 inches is achieved.