Abstract: A method for managing an interactive video display system. A plurality of video spots are displayed on the interactive video display system. Data based on interaction with the interactive video display system corresponding to video spots of the plurality of video spots is gathered. The data is stored, wherein the data is for use in managing presentation of the video spots. By analyzing data relating to different video spots, popularity and other metrics may be determined for the video spots, providing useful information for managing the presentation of the video spots.

Abstract: Resource bundles are provided that contain localized resources that a handheld device can use to adapt an application to the current locale of the hand-held electronic device. The resource bundles can be stored in a remotely-located server and downloaded over a network to the hand-held electronic device on request. Alternatively, a hand-held device can store resource bundles for multiple locales and choose a resource bundle that is appropriate for its current locale. A resource bundle can be used to allow a hand-held device to automatically adapt an application to the current locale such as by identifying an entered character sequence that matches a predetermined sequence associated with the current locale of the hand-held device, choosing an article for use with a word that is grammatically correct for the language associated with the current locale, and automatically replacing the character sequence with the article.

Abstract: A method and system for processing captured image information in an interactive video display system. In one embodiment, a special learning condition of a captured camera image is detected. The captured camera image is compared to a normal background model image and to a second background model image, wherein the second background model is learned at a faster rate than the normal background model. A vision image is generated based on the comparisons. In another embodiment, an object in the captured image information that does not move for a predetermined time period is detected. A burn-in image comprising the object is generated, wherein the burn-in image is operable to allow a vision system of the interactive video display system to classify the object as background.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, automatically geotags a set of data, such as a digital photo, video, notes, or a blog, with a textual plain-language description of the current location. When the data is generated, the current location of the device is determined, e.g. using a GPS receiver. A textual plain-language description of the current location is then generated, e.g. by reverse geocoding the GPS position coordinates or by correlating the current time with a calendar event from which language descriptive of the event can be extracted. This textual plain-language description is automatically generated and written into a tag or metadata file associated with the photo or other set of data. By automatically geotagging data with textual plain-language descriptions that go beyond mere coordinates of latitude and longitude, data can be searched and managed more efficiently.

Abstract: An interactive directed beam system is provided. In one implementation, the system includes a projector, a computer and a camera. The camera is configured to view and capture information in an interactive area. The captured information may take various forms, such as, an image and/or audio data. The captured information is based on actions taken by an object, such as, a person within the interactive area. Such actions include, for example, natural movements of the person and interactions between the person and an image projected by the projector. The captured information from the camera is then sent to the computer for processing. The computer performs one or more processes to extract certain information, such as, the relative location of the person within the interactive area for use in controlling the projector. Based on the results generated by the processes, the computer directs the projector to adjust the projected image accordingly.

Abstract: Method an arrangement for affecting diagonal movement of a cursor 171 on the display screen 322 of a handheld communication device 300 having a reduced alphabetic keyboard. The method includes sensing movement at an auxiliary user input 328 of the handheld communication device 300 indicative of the user's desire to affect diagonal movement of the cursor 171 on the display screen 322 of the handheld communication device 300. X-direction signals and Y-direction signals are produced based on the sensed movement at the auxiliary user input 328. During that time while the necessary signals are being collected and processed, the cursor 171 is held steady on the display screen 322 until a predetermined criterion is met for discriminating whether the user has indicated x-direction cursor movement, y-direction cursor movement or diagonal cursor movement.

Abstract: A method and system for processing captured image information in an interactive video display system. In one embodiment, a special learning condition of a captured camera image is detected. The captured camera image is compared to a normal background model image and to a second background model image, wherein the second background model is learned at a faster rate than the normal background model. A vision image is generated based on the comparisons. In another embodiment, an object in the captured image information that does not move for a predetermined time period is detected. A burn-in image comprising the object is generated, wherein the burn-in image is operable to allow a vision system of the interactive video display system to classify the object as background.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing gesture-based user interactions with an interactive display are provided.

Abstract: A method, handheld electronic device and computer program product for inputting calendar information using a graphical user interface (GUI) of a calendar application are provided. The GUI is displayed on a display screen of the handheld electronic device which comprises a navigational input device for receiving navigational input in a first and a second direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for dynamically determining a zoom-level to display to a user of a mapping application executing on a mobile device. The method comprises the following steps. The zoom-level is determined in accordance with at least one predefined parameter. The at least one predefined parameter is monitored for detecting a change. A new zoom-level corresponding with the detected change is determined. Lastly, the zoom-level of the mapping application is changed to the new zoom-level. A mobile device and computer-readable medium configured to implement the method are also provided.

Abstract: An interactive video display system allows a physical object to interact with a virtual object. A light source delivers a pattern of invisible light to a three-dimensional space occupied by the physical object. A camera detects invisible light scattered by the physical object. A computer system analyzes information generated by the camera, maps the position of the physical object in the three-dimensional space, and generates a responsive image that includes the virtual object. A display presents the responsive image.

Abstract: Instant messaging clients transmit, to a server, presence information indicating that the respective client is in a communicative state in which the client is receptive to communicating with the other clients. A server determines, for each client, that the respective client is in a communicative state if presence information was received from the client over a preceding predetermined time period, and that the client is in an unknown state if presence information was not received from the client over the preceding predetermined time period. The communicative state and the unknown state are possible presence states of the clients. The server transmits a notification to a second client of the presence state of a first client when both the first client and the second client are in a communicative state. But the server refrains from transmitting the notification to the second client when the first client is in the unknown state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling display of data on a screen of a portable electronic device. The method includes launching an application that includes at least one field for receiving data and at least one field label for identifying the at least one field, entering data into the at least one field and removing the at least one field label from the screen when data is entered into the at least one field.

Abstract: A method of memory management in an electronic device, includes receiving at the electronic device, representative viewable or audible samples of data records, and storing the representative viewable or audible samples of data records in a memory of the electronic device. Each of the representative viewable or audible samples of data records includes one of a compressed version of a corresponding one of the backup data records, and a viewable or audible portion of the corresponding one of the backup data records.

Abstract: A method of storing data from a network address in a database of a portable electronic device. The method includes obtaining at the portable electronic device, a data record from the network address, storing the data record along with a network address identifier, and transmitting the network address identifier to a backup device for retrieval and storage of the data record from the network.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a database at a portable electronic device with a backup database including backup data records includes receiving information representative of data records of the database at the portable electronic device, determining if the database at the portable electronic device is to be updated with the backup data records, and if the database at the portable electronic device is to be updated, transmitting representative viewable or audible samples of ones of the backup data records.

Abstract: An interactive video window display system. A projector projects a visual image. A screen displays the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen, and wherein the screen is adjacent to a window. An illuminator illuminates an object on a front side of the window. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable by the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction. The projector, the camera, the illuminator, and the computer system are located on the same side of the window.

Abstract: A self-contained interactive video display system. A projector projects a visual image onto a screen for displaying the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen. An illuminator illuminates an object near the front side of the screen. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable to the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction.

Abstract: A method is described for providing files to a mobile communications device from an associated personal computer over one of a plurality of potential communication paths between the mobile communications device and the computer. The method includes receiving at the computer a user request that a selected file stored on the computer be provided to the mobile communications device; selecting a communications path from among the plurality of potential communication paths; and causing a copy of the selected file to be provided to the mobile communications device over the selected communication path.

Abstract: A system and method of instant messaging is provided. A plurality of messaging clients capable of transmitting instant messages to one another are each configured to share presence information with one another via a network. A determination is made, with respect to each of the messaging clients, as to whether the messaging client is in a state in which it is receptive to receiving presence information from the other messaging clients, and if so, then the presence information is provided to the messaging client. The presence information may be provided directly between the messaging clients, or it may be provided through one or more centralized proxy servers that store and propagate the presence information. A special state is provided, referred to herein as the unknown state, which when entered by a particular messaging client will cause the system to cease further transmissions of presence information to that client and/or transmissions about that client.