Abstract: Hand-held devices combine smartphones and electronic binoculars. In “in-phone” embodiments, binocular functionality is integrated directly into the housing or body of a smartphone modified in accordance with the invention, whereas, in “in-case” embodiments, the binoculars are integrated into a case to receive a smartphone which may be of conventional design. In either case, components within the phone may be used for image manipulation, image storage, and/or sending and receiving/streaming stereoscopic/3D motion imagery. The objective lenses for the binoculars are preferably supported on or in one of the longer side edges of the phone or case, whereas the display magnifying eyepieces are preferably associated with the opposing longer side edge of the phone or case. As such, in use, a user holds the phone or case in a generally horizontal plane during use as binoculars.

Abstract: Hand-held devices combine smartphones and electronic binoculars. In “in-phone” embodiments, binocular functionality is integrated directly into the housing or body of a smartphone modified in accordance with the invention, whereas, in “in-case” embodiments, the binoculars are integrated into a case to receive a smartphone which may be of conventional design. In either case, components within the phone may be used for image manipulation, image storage, and/or sending and receiving/streaming stereoscopic/3D motion imagery. The objective lenses for the binoculars are preferably supported on or in one of the longer side edges of the phone or case, whereas the display magnifying eyepieces are preferably associated with the opposing longer side edge of the phone or case. As such, in use, a user holds the phone or case in a generally horizontal plane during use as binoculars.

Abstract: Hand-held devices combine smartphones and electronic binoculars. In “in-phone” embodiments, binocular functionality is integrated directly into the housing or body of a smartphone modified in accordance with the invention. In “in-case” embodiments, the binoculars are integrated into a case to receive a smartphone which may be of conventional design. In “in-module” embodiments, electronic binoculars are integrated into a separate housing adapted for attachment to a phone or case. In all embodiments, components within the phone may be used for image manipulation, image storage, and/or sending and receiving/streaming stereoscopic/3D/live/video motion imagery. The imagery gathering devices may be supported on or in one of the longer side edges of the phone or case, whereas the display magnifying eyepieces are preferably associated with the opposing longer side edge of the phone or case. As such, in use, a user holds the phone or case in a generally horizontal plane during use as binoculars.

Abstract: Hand-held devices combine smartphones and electronic binoculars. In “in-phone” embodiments, binocular functionality is integrated directly into the housing or body of a smartphone modified in accordance with the invention, whereas, in “in-case” embodiments, the binoculars are integrated into a case to receive a smartphone which may be of conventional design. In either case, components within the phone may be used for image manipulation, image storage, and/or sending and receiving/streaming stereoscopic/3D motion imagery. The objective lenses for the binoculars are preferably supported on or in one of the longer side edges of the phone or case, whereas the display magnifying eyepieces are preferably associated with the opposing longer side edge of the phone or case. As such, in use, a user holds the phone or case in a generally horizontal plane during use as binoculars.

Abstract: Digital imagery is composed or composited within a smartphone or other portable electronic device to merge foreground and background subject matter acquired simultaneously with different cameras or acquired at different times with the same camera. A processor stores the digital imagery along with information derived or used by an operation to differentiate the foreground subject matter from the background scene, which may be a digital matting operation, and/or may involve finding an edge or an outline of the foreground subject matter. The foreground subject matter and the background scene may be stored as different graphical layers in the memory. A user control such as a touchscreen may enable a user to select and resize or reposition the foreground subject matter on a background scene of a separately acquired image. The digital imagery may constitute a still image or a sequence of images representative of motion video.

Abstract: The perception of a displayed image is altered for viewers moving relative to a display screen, thereby imparting a sense of three-dimensional immersion in the scene being displayed. A display generator generates a scene having foreground and background elements, and a display screen displaying the scene. A sensor detects the position of a viewer relative to the display screen, and a processor is operative to shift the relative position of the foreground and background elements in the displayed scene as a function of viewer position, such that the viewer's perspective of the scene changes as the viewer moves relative to the display screen. The foreground and background elements may be presented in the form of multiple superimposed graphics planes, and/or a camera may be used to record the scene through panning at sequential angles. The system may be used to implement virtual windows, virtual mirrors and other effects.

Abstract: Cooking of marshmallows and other food items uses simultaneous, multi-axial rotation for uniform browning over heat and open flame. The apparatus includes an elongate, hollow tube having proximal and distal ends, and a rod having proximal and distal ends disposed within the elongate hollow tube. A device coupled to the proximal end of the rod rotates the rod about a first axis of rotation. A first gear is attached to the distal end of the elongate hollow tube, and a second gear, coupled to the distal end of the rod, meshes with the first gear, causing the second gear to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is different from the first axis of rotation. A food item holder is attached to the second gear, such that when the rod rotates about the first axis of rotation, the food item holder simultaneously rotates about the first and second axes.

Abstract: The perception of a displayed image is altered for viewers moving relative to the position of the display system screen, thereby imparting a sense of three-dimensional immersion in the scene being displayed. A display generator generates a scene having foreground and background elements, and a display screen displaying the scene. A sensor detects the position of a viewer relative to the display screen, and a processor is operative to shift the relative position of the foreground and background elements in the displayed scene as a function of viewer position, such that the viewer's perspective of the scene changes as the viewer moves relative to the display screen. The foreground and background elements may be presented in the form of multiple superimposed graphics planes, and/or a camera may be used to record the scene through panning at sequential angles.

Abstract: The perception of a displayed image is altered for viewers moving relative to the position of the display system screen, thereby imparting a sense of three-dimensional immersion in the scene being displayed. A display generator generates a scene having foreground and background elements, and a display screen displaying the scene. A sensor detects the position of a viewer relative to the display screen, and a processor is operative to shift the relative position of the foreground and background elements in the displayed scene as a function of viewer position, such that the viewer's perspective of the scene changes as the viewer moves relative to the display screen. The foreground and background elements may be presented in the form of multiple superimposed graphics planes, and/or a camera may be used to record the scene through panning at sequential angles.

Abstract: Digital imagery is composed or composited within a smartphone or other portable electronic device to merge foreground and background subject matter acquired simultaneously with different cameras or acquired at different times with the same camera. A processor stores the digital imagery along with information derived or used by an operation to differentiate the foreground subject matter from the background scene, which may be a digital matting operation, and/or may involve finding an edge or an outline of the foreground subject matter. The foreground subject matter and the background scene may be stored as different graphical layers in the memory. A user control such as a touchscreen may enable a user to select and resize or reposition the foreground subject matter on a background scene of a separately acquired image. The digital imagery may constitute a still image or a sequence of images representative of motion video.

Abstract: The perception of a displayed image is altered for viewers moving relative to the position of the display system screen, thereby imparting a sense of three-dimensional immersion in the scene being displayed. A display generator generates a scene having foreground and background elements, and a display screen displaying the scene. A sensor detects the position of a viewer relative to the display screen, and a processor is operative to shift the relative position of the foreground and background elements in the displayed scene as a function of viewer position, such that the viewer's perspective of the scene changes as the viewer moves relative to the display screen. The foreground and background elements may be presented in the form of multiple superimposed graphics planes, and/or a camera may be used to record the scene through panning at sequential angles.

Abstract: Digital imagery is composed or composited within a smartphone or other portable electronic device to merge foreground and background subject matter acquired simultaneously with different cameras or acquired at different times with the same camera. A processor stores the digital imagery along with information derived or used by an operation to differentiate the foreground subject matter from the background scene, which may be a digital matting operation, and/or may involve finding an edge or an outline of the foreground subject matter. The foreground subject matter and the background scene may be stored as different graphical layers in the memory. A user control such as a touchscreen may enable a user to select and resize or reposition the foreground subject matter on a background scene of a separately acquired image. The digital imagery may constitute a still image or a sequence of images representative of motion video.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable an image-viewing system to automatically zoom in and out as target subset matter is tracked. A hand-held body with a lens gathers an image including target subject matter. An image sensor having a resolution in pixels receives the image, and a viewfinder displays at least a portion of the image received by the image sensor. By virtue of the invention, apparatus for automatically zooming out the image displayed in the viewfinder if relative movement is detected between the target subject matter and the body and, and automatically zooming in the image displayed in the viewfinder if the relative movement of the target subject matter slows down or becomes stationary. A power zoom lens may effectuate the automatic zooming, or the zooming may be accomplished digitally without moving parts. The body may form part of a camera, video recorder, binoculars or telescope.

Abstract: A system for manual or automatic correction of geometric or video image distortions introduced by projection onto obliquely angled or imperfect surfaces. Sensors may be disposed at the projector itself, at the projected image surface, or in a portable remote-control unit. Corrections may be applied as part of an original set-up process, or dynamically as the configuration changes. Image-stabilization techniques are utilized where applicable, as is the use of test patterns and the incorporation of “helper” signals into the video image. Tactile-sensing capabilities provide an interactive environment, and various packaging configurations for projection units and sensor provisions are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for manual or automatic correction of geometric or video image distortions introduced by projection onto obliquely angled or imperfect surfaces. Sensors may be disposed at the projector itself, at the projected image surface, or in a portable remote-control unit. Corrections may be applied as part of an original set-up process, or dynamically as the configuration changes. Image-stabilization techniques are utilized where applicable, as is the use of test patterns and the incorporation of “helper” signals into the video image. Tactile-sensing capabilities provide an interactive environment, and various packaging configurations for projection units and sensor provisions are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable an image-viewing system to automatically zoom in and out as target subset matter is tracked. A hand-held body with a lens gathers an image including target subject matter. An image sensor having a resolution in pixels receives the image, and a viewfinder displays at least a portion of the image received by the image sensor. By virtue of the invention, apparatus for automatically zooming out the image displayed in the viewfinder if relative movement is detected between the target subject matter and the body and, and automatically zooming in the image displayed in the viewfinder if the relative movement of the target subject matter slows down or becomes stationary. A power zoom lens may effectuate the automatic zooming, or the zooming may be accomplished digitally without moving parts. The body may form part of a camera, video recorder, binoculars or telescope.

Abstract: Digital imagery is composed or composited within a smartphone or other portable electronic device to merge foreground and background subject matter acquired simultaneously with different cameras or acquired at different times with the same camera. A processor stores the digital imagery along with information derived or used by an operation to differentiate the foreground subject matter from the background scene, which may be a digital matting operation, and/or may involve finding an edge or an outline of the foreground subject matter. The foreground subject matter and the background scene may be stored as different graphical layers in the memory. A user control such as a touchscreen may enable a user to select and resize or reposition the foreground subject matter on a background scene of a separately acquired image. The digital imagery may constitute a still image or a sequence of images representative of motion video.

Abstract: A secure transaction method involves establishing an electronically accessible verification site authorized by the holder of a credit or debit card, and accessing the verification site by a merchant to determine whether a request for goods or services is authorized. The request for goods or services is based upon the use of the credit or debit card, but the card is not physically presented. The verification site is an electronic mail account which may be established by the merchant, card holder or other authorized person or entity. An authorization message is preferably sent from the site to the merchant in response to the step of accessing the verification site by the merchant. The verification site may also be wirelessly accessible, enabling an authorization message to be delivered through a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, or other mobile device.

Abstract: Digital imagery is composed or composited within a smartphone or other portable electronic device to merge foreground and background subject matter acquired simultaneously with different cameras or acquired at different times with the same camera. A processor stores the digital imagery along with information derived or used by an operation to differentiate the foreground subject matter from the background scene, which may be a digital matting operation, and/or may involve finding an edge or an outline of the foreground subject matter. The foreground subject matter and the background scene may be stored as different graphical layers in the memory. A user control such as a touchscreen may enable a user to select and resize or reposition the foreground subject matter on a background scene of a separately acquired image. The digital imagery may constitute a still image or a sequence of images representative of motion video.

Abstract: Improvements to enhance electronic books, particularly improvements having both a viewing and audio enunciation capability are disclosed. A exemplary user control is provided enabling a reader to receive a “recap” up to a point designated by the reader or, alternatively, allow the reader to “finish the book” by being provided with a summary, covering the material from a given point to the end. In another example, a pointing device (e.g., a touch pad) is provided along with curser on the display, enabling a reader to click on words for additional information. In still another example, when material of any kind is “read” to a user, the device may be used to automatically display images on the display screen associated with the material being read. In another example, an electronic book may be provided with a communications link or a short-range radio transmitter, such as a low-power FM transmitter.