Abstract: A method and system for mobile device power consumption management decreases the instantaneous power consumption of a mobile device, increasing operational lifetime of the device. In an embodiment of the invention, the mobile device is associated with a plurality of device behavior modification techniques that can be set in response to data collected from a plurality of sensors associated with the device. In an embodiment, the sensors detect the device's motion, tilt, proximity to a user, contact with a user, and orientation with respect to a user. In a further embodiment, the sensors detect a temperature related to the device or its environment.

Abstract: A method and system use an alternative sensor signal received from a sensor other than an air conduction microphone to estimate a clean speech value. The estimation uses either the alternative sensor signal alone, or in conjunction with the air conduction microphone signal. The clean speech value is estimated without using a model trained from noisy training data collected from an air conduction microphone. Under one embodiment, correction vectors are added to a vector formed from the alternative sensor signal in order to form a filter, which is applied to the air conductive microphone signal to produce the clean speech estimate. In other embodiments, the pitch of a speech signal is determined from the alternative sensor signal and is used to decompose an air conduction microphone signal. The decomposed signal is then used to determine a clean signal estimate.

Abstract: A fire retardant intumescent coating composition comprises: (a) 30 to 60% by weight of a phosphorous containing material which decomposes to produce phosphoric acid when the coating is exposed to fire; (b) 10 to 30% by weight of a thermosetting binder; (c) 2.5 to 10% by weight of a curing agent for the thermosetting binder; and (d) 5 to 40% by weight of a thermoplastic binder, wherein the active groups of the thermosetting and thermoplastic binders are chosen so as to impart charring and blowing functions to the intumescent coating composition. The thermosetting binder is advantageously a hydroxylated thermosetting binder, suitably an epoxy resin. The thermoplastic binder is advantageously an oxygenated heterocyclic thermoplastic binder, suitably an aldehyde and/or ketone resin. The coating composition may contain I to 10% by weight of a colouring agent, suitably titanium dioxide. The coating composition may contain 0.1 to 10% by weight of melt viscosity modifier, suitably hydrogenated castor oil.

Abstract: A computer input device and computer system are provided that determine a height of the computer input device over a surface. Based on the height, an audio signal generator generates an audio driver signal. The audio driver signal is applied to an audio signal generate that generates an audio signal based on the audio driver signal.

Abstract: A method and computer input device are provided for controlling a displayed object. Using the method and computer input device, an indication of the amount of rotation and translation of the computer input device is received. A decision is then made as to whether to use the amount of rotation of the computer input device to control a displayed object based on the amount of translation of the computer input device.

Abstract: An image capturing system is installable in a room opposite a writing surface. The image capturing system is adapted to take visual images of the writing surface and identify information written thereon.

Abstract: In an input device, a camera captures images of a surface. Using the images, the input device determines its orientation. Data representing the orientation of the input device and data representing the captured image are communicated from the input device to a host computing device.

Abstract: A device for detecting the position of a human finger or other object on a touch-sensitive scrolling pad. Dual independent oscillators may be used to generate two pulse trains at frequencies dependent upon the capacitance of two conductors resulting from the position of the finger on the conductors. The pulses from each oscillator may be counted over a time interval. A ratio-metric measurement may be taken by calculating the ratio of the two counts, and a sum may also be calculated. The ratio of the two counts relates to finger position on the device, and their sum relates to finger pressure upon the device.

Abstract: A computer input device includes a camera for capturing an image of a pattern on a surface. A processor in the computer input device determines equations for lines from the image of the pattern, applies the line equations to a transform to form transformed line equations, and uses the transformed line equations to determine the height of the computer input device above the surface.

Abstract: A MEMS optical display system includes an illumination source for providing illumination light, a collimating lens for receiving the illumination light and forming from it collimated illumination light, and a microlens array having an array of lenslets for receiving the illumination light from the collimating lens. The converging microlens array directs the illumination light through an array of pixel apertures in an aperture plate to a microelectrical mechanical reflector array positioned opposite the aperture plate. The microelectrical mechanical reflector array includes an array of microelectrical mechanical actuators that support reflectors in alignment with the array of pixel apertures and selectively orients the reflectors to direct the illumination light back through the pixel apertures (to form part of a display image) or against the aperture plate (to be blocked). The illumination light passing back through the pixel apertures passes through the microlens array and a beamsplitter to a display screen.

Abstract: A pad for a computer input device includes a top surface over which the input device is slid and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, for contacting a support surface. The bottom surface having a raised pivot portion allowing movement of the pad about the pivot portion.

Abstract: A device for detecting the position of a human finger or other object on a touch-sensitive scrolling pad. Dual independent oscillators may be used to generate two pulse trains at frequencies dependent upon the capacitance of two conductors resulting from the position of the finger on the conductors. The pulses from each oscillator may be counted over a time interval. A ratio-metric measurement may be taken by calculating the ratio of the two counts, and a sum may also be calculated. The ratio of the two counts relates to finger position on the device, and their sum relates to finger pressure upon the device.

Abstract: The present invention combines a conventional audio microphone with an additional speech sensor that provides a speech sensor signal based on an input. The speech sensor signal is generated based on an action undertaken by a speaker during speech, such as facial movement, bone vibration, throat vibration, throat impedance changes, etc. A speech detector component receives an input from the speech sensor and outputs a speech detection signal indicative of whether a user is speaking. The speech detector generates the speech detection signal based on the microphone signal and the speech sensor signal.

Abstract: The present invention combines a conventional audio microphone with an additional speech sensor that provides a speech sensor signal based on an input. The speech sensor signal is generated based on an action undertaken by a speaker during speech, such as facial movement, bone vibration, throat vibration, throat impedance changes, etc. A speech detector component receives an input from the speech sensor and outputs a speech detection signal indicative of whether a user is speaking. The speech detector generates the speech detection signal based on the microphone signal and the speech sensor signal.

Abstract: A unilateral in-plane thermal buckle-beam microelectrical mechanical actuator is formed on a planar substrate of semiconductor material, for example. The actuator includes first and second anchors secured to the substrate and a floating shuttle positioned movably parallel to the substrate. Symmetric first and second sets of elongated thermal half-beams are secured between the floating shuttle and the respective first and second anchors. The first and second anchors and the first and second sets of thermal half-beams are positioned along one side of the floating shuttle. The half-beams are formed of semiconductor material, such as polysilicon. A current source directs electrical current through the thermal half beams via the anchors to impart thermal expansion of the thermal half-beams and hence linear motion of the floating center beam generally parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: A transmissive display device. The transmissive display device comprises a transmissive display panel positionable in a viewing position by a user and including a viewing front surface and a light-receiving rear surface, a reflective surface that is positionable by a user to receive ambient light and reflect it toward the rear surface and though the transmissive display panel, and an un-grooved transmissive ambient light diffuser, without annular rings, positionable by a user so that ambient light is transmitted through the diffuser to thereby cooperate with the reflective surface to provide diffuse ambient light to the rear surface of the transmissive display panel.

Abstract: A MEMS optical display system includes an illumination source for providing illumination light, a collimating lens for receiving the illumination light and forming from it collimated illumination light, and a converging microlens array having an array of lenslets that converge the collimated illumination light. The converging microlens array directs the illumination light to a microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) optical modulator. The MEMS optical modulator includes, for example, a planar substrate through which multiple pixel apertures extend and multiple MEMS actuators that support and selectively position MEMS shutters over the apertures. A MEMS actuator and MEMS shutter, together with a corresponding aperture, correspond to pixel. The light from the converging microlens array is focused through the apertures and is selectively modulated according to the positioning of the MEMS shutters by the MEMS actuators, thereby to impart image information on the illumination light.

Abstract: A vaccine against Newcastle Disease contains one or more mutant immunogens of the NDW strain. The mutant immunogen lacks the antigenic binding site on the F glycoprotein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody mAb 54. Reagent kits and assay methods help to distinguish vaccinated members of a poultry flock from those that may have been infected with wild-type Newcastle Disease virus.

Abstract: A vaccine against Newcastle Disease contains one or more mutant immunogens of the NDW strain. The mutant immunogen lacks the antigenic binding site on the F glycoprotein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody mAb 54. Reagent kits and assay methods help to distinguish vaccinated members of a poultry flock from those that may have been infected with wild-type Newcastle Disease virus.

Abstract: Planning tools guide marketing professionals through steps of performing a situation assessment, identifying opportunities, developing growth strategies, developing growth tactics, and developing measurements. The planning tools provide disciplined processes in a question and answer format. The tools are personalized to the answers given by marketing professionals and new tools or modified tools can be easily implemented. These tools can be provided in a stand-alone manner, as part of a network, and as part of a collaborative environment. The planning tools preferably form part of an entire marketing investment manager which includes a marketing management solution, digital asset management, and hooks to existing systems, such as customer relationship management, finance, manufacturing, and information technology. The marketing management solution adopts best practices and includes collaboration, project management, campaign management, and analytics, and measurement units.