Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure data entry by sensing biometric information and determining a desired data based on the biometric information. The method can include sensing a biometric characteristic of an object, generating an expression by associating the biometric characteristic with enrollment data, the expression identifying at least a portion of a specific finger unique to a individual user of the multipurpose input device, determining positional information corresponding to a source location of the biometric characteristic, and generating a token representing a desired data entry based on the expression and the positional information. The positional information or the expression can indicate a subset of a set of potential data entry values and the combination of the positional information and the expression can uniquely define the token representing a desired data entry of the subset of potential data entry values.

Abstract: A body part position detector 12 (or detectors) provides information regarding the position of a predetermined body part to a virtual image tactile-entry information interface generator 12. The latter constructs a virtual image of the information interface that is proximal to the body part and that is appropriately scaled and oriented to match a viewer's point of view with respect to the body part. A display 13 then provides the image to the viewer. By providing the image of the information interface in close proximity to the body part, the viewer will experience an appropriate haptic sensation upon interacting with the virtual image.

Abstract: Methods in a wireless portable communication device for transmitting annotating audio communication with an image (100), for receiving annotating audio communication with an image (300, 400) are provided. The image may be attached manually or automatically based upon a pre-selected condition to the audio communication.

Abstract: A first language to second language translator (11) converts text comprising a message in a first language into text representing that message in a second language. A text to speech transducer (12) then synthesizes an audiblized version of the text in the second language. An animated display driver (14) creates a corresponding display (15) of an image (16) that includes a mouth (17) that moves appropriately and synchronously with respect to the audiblized second language. In other embodiments, other facial features can be animated as well. Such animation can be random and unrelated to the appearance of the original speaker. Or, such animation can accurately represent at least some alterations to facial features of the original speaker while speaking. In some embodiments, the facial features can be altered by correlating specific detected alterations with specific corresponding substantive content in the original message and the translated text.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an interactive, multi-resolution presentation space of information structures within a computer enabling a user to navigate and interact with the information. The presentation space is hierarchically structured into a tree of nested visualization elements. A visual display is generated for the user which has a plurality of iconic representations and visual features corresponding to the visualization elements and the parameters defined for each visualization element. The user is allowed to interact in the presentation space through a point of view or avatar. The viewing resolution of the avatar is varied depending on the position of the avatar relative to a visualization element. Culling and pruning of the presentation space is performed depending on the size of a visualization element and its distance from the avatar.