Abstract: Projector-based crowd coordination and messaging embodiments are presented that separately, yet simultaneously, convey information to members of an audience in at least one part of a venue. The information conveyed to each audience member is different from the information conveyed to at least one other audience member based on their locations within the venue. In single-projector embodiments, an optical projector is mounted within the venue and projects an image onto the audience. In multiple-projector embodiments, an array of optical projectors are mounted within the venue, each of which projects an image onto the audience. In either case, for each of a plurality of prescribed locations in the audience, each optical projector projects light of a prescribed color and brightness onto the location, where the light from the projector, or projectors collectively, represents the information conveyed to an audience member or members in the location.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus and a method. In an apparatus, a touch tracking circuit detects a segment of a path defined by a user contact point moving across a touch sensitive display. A motion analysis circuit determines a parameter descriptive of a motion of the user contact point during its movement across the detected segment of the path (hereafter “motion parameter”). A filter predicts in response to the motion parameter a next contiguous segment of the path defined by the user-contact point moving across the touch sensitive display. A compensation circuit initiates a display by the touch sensitive display of the detected segment of the path and the predicted next segment of the path. An updating circuit initiates an update of the detected segment of the path and the predicted next contiguous segment of the path as the user contact point moves across the touch sensitive display.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus and a method. In an apparatus, a tracking circuit detects a segment of a path defined by a user contact point moving across a touch sensitive display. A filter predicts a next contiguous segment of the path defined by the user contact point in response to an adaptively learned motion parameter. The adaptively learned motion parameter is based on at least two previous instances of the determined motion parameters respectively descriptive of a motion of a user contact point during its movement across the touch sensitive display. A compensation circuit initiates a display by the touch sensitive display of the detected segment of the path and the predicted next contiguous segment of the path. An updating circuit updates the detected segment of the path and the predicted next contiguous segment of the path as the user contact point moves across the touch sensitive display.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus and a method. In an apparatus, a tracking circuit detects a segment of a path defined by a user contact point moving across a touch sensitive display. An analysis circuit determines a parameter descriptive of a motion of the user contact point during the detected segment. A selection circuit selects a time-interval forecasted to improve a correspondence between a predicted next segment of the path and a subsequently detected next segment of the path. A filter predicts in response to the motion parameter and the selected time-interval a next segment of the path. A compensation circuit initiates a display of the detected segment of the path and the predicted next segment of the path. An updating circuit initiates an update of the detected segment of the path and the predicted next segment of the path as the user contact point moves across the display.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a touch screen electronic display configured to offset and/or shift the contact locations of touch implements and/or displayed content based on one or more calculated parallax values. The parallax values may be associated with the viewing angle of an operator relative to the display of the electronic device. In various embodiments, the parallax value(s) may be calculated using three-dimensional location sensors, an angle of inclination of a touch implement, and/or one or more displayed calibration objects. Parallax values may be utilized to remap contact locations by a touch implement, shift and/or offset displayed content, and/or perform other transformations as described herein. A stereoscopically displayed content may be offset such that a default display plane is coplanar with a touch surface rather than a display surface. Contacts by a finger may be remapped using portions of the contact region and/or a centroid of the contact region.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes pressure sensitive keys with a single-sided direct conduction sensor that includes a sensor substrate, a conductive layer formed on an underside of a contact layer, and a force sensing layer formed on the underside of the contact layer substantially surrounding the conductive layer. The contact layer, the conductive layer, and the force sensing layer are configured to cooperatively flex in response to an application of pressure to contact the sensor substrate.

Abstract: A stylus for use as an input device automatically switches its mode of operation.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a touch screen electronic display configured to offset and/or shift the contact locations of touch implements and/or displayed content based on one or more calculated parallax values. The parallax values may be associated with the viewing angle of an operator relative to the display of the electronic device. In various embodiments, the parallax value(s) may be calculated using three-dimensional location sensors, an angle of inclination of a touch implement, and/or one or more displayed calibration objects. Parallax values may be utilized to remap contact locations by a touch implement, shift and/or offset displayed content, and/or perform other transformations as described herein. A stereoscopically displayed content may be offset such that a default display plane is coplanar with a touch surface rather than a display surface. Contacts by a finger may be remapped using portions of the contact region and/or a centroid of the contact region.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a touch screen electronic display configured to offset and/or shift the contact locations of touch implements and/or displayed content based on one or more calculated parallax values. The parallax values may be associated with the viewing angle of an operator relative to the display of the electronic device. In various embodiments, the parallax value(s) may be calculated using three-dimensional location sensors, an angle of inclination of a touch implement, and/or one or more displayed calibration objects. Parallax values may be utilized to remap contact locations by a touch implement, shift and/or offset displayed content, and/or perform other transformations as described herein. A stereoscopically displayed content may be offset such that a default display plane is coplanar with a touch surface rather than a display surface. Contacts by a finger may be remapped using portions of the contact region and/or a centroid of the contact region.

Abstract: A communication system provides a service provider marketplace that includes a data store storing provider data for a plurality of different service providers. A search or selection component provides user interface displays that allow users to search for and select service providers. A payment component provides a mechanism by which payment for the services can be made by the users.

Abstract: A small stuffed animal (10) is worn on the wrist of a user (14) and is held on via long arms featuring hook and loop fasteners. When the user wishes to activate the toy, the user places the animal's mouth close to the user's ear. A sensor (50) detects this action, and triggers one of many entertaining audio messages stored in the toy, thus creating the sensation of the animal whispering in the user's ear. In addition, the toy has a sensor (30) that can detect the presence of nearby location transmitters. This allows the toy to appropriately choose the audio messages to match the current location. Also, rather than waiting for the user to randomly discover the location driven messages, the toy alerts the user that it has an interesting message waiting.

Abstract: An optical receiver is arranged at a location in a scene. The optical receiver includes a photo sensor configured to detect spatio-temporal modulated optical signals directed at the scene from a set of spatially dispersed optical transmitters, and to convert the optical signals from each of the optical transmitters to a corresponding electronic signal. The electronic signals can be analyzed to determine geometric properties of the location in the scene.

Abstract: A projector that illuminates a scene with multiplexed light patterns includes a passive physical mask, and a set of spatially dispersed optical emitters arranged behind the physical mask. The optical emitters are modulated to project a set of unique optical light patterns.

Abstract: A method and system enhances an acoustic signal acquired by a microphone from an acoustic source while concurrently acquiring a Doppler signal from moving parts of the acoustic source. The acoustic signal and the Doppler signal are then analyzed according to a model to generate an enhanced acoustic signal.

Abstract: Architecture for a keyboard that supports the n-key rollover feature, while being compatible with well established, high volume, inexpensive manufacturing techniques. The design is a matrix design that uses resistors at each key rather than diodes, and employs novel circuits which allow any combination of simultaneous key presses to be detected using this resistive matrix. The resistors can be screen printed on the flexible sheets in a manner similar to the conductors. A resistive keyboard matrix employs circuit techniques that eliminate phantom key presses. The resistors can be created by screen-printing carbon ink. Additionally, various implementations of the decoder circuits can be employed to provide the n-key rollover feature on flexible sheets for inexpensive production.

Abstract: Architecture for a keyboard that supports the n-key rollover feature, while being compatible with well established, high volume, inexpensive manufacturing techniques. The design is a matrix design that uses resistors at each key rather than diodes, and employs novel circuits which allow any combination of simultaneous key presses to be detected using this resistive matrix. The resistors can be screen printed on the flexible sheets in a manner similar to the conductors. A resistive keyboard matrix employs circuit techniques that eliminate phantom key presses. The resistors can be created by screen-printing carbon ink. Additionally, various implementations of the decoder circuits can be employed to provide the n-key rollover feature on flexible sheets for inexpensive production.

Abstract: A method and apparatus acquires images of a scene with an omni-directional imager and a pan-tilt-zoom imager. A relationship between pixels in the input image and locations in the scene is expressed in terms of polar coordinates. An event is detected in the input images and the omni-directional pan-tilt-zoom camera is directed at the event in the scene using the relationship expressed in the polar coordinates.

Abstract: A location sensitive display device, and method therefor utilized in an entertainment environment. The display device includes a receiver, control circuit, and indication units. Infrared (IR) transmitters are positioned within the entertainment environment and emit a code which is detected and decoded by the receiver or IR photodiode. The receiver generates a control signal in response to the transmitted IR signal, and a control circuit processes the control signal to generate output signals which illuminate Light Emitting Diode (LED) indication units in a sequence determined by the output signals to provide a predetermined visual display. The display can be used in an activity related to the entertainment environment and can be controlled by a user or a central control system. Further, the display device can include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen to provide various types of games including games of skill and trivia games with questions and answers.

Abstract: An apparatus measures a fluid level in a container. A light source emits a light beam. A light sensor can sense the light beam. An optical conduit is arranged in a container for holding fluid. The optical conduit is arranged between the light source and the light sensor along a path of the light beam, such that at least one part of the light beam passes through the optical conduit, and at least an other part of the light beam passes through the fluid when the container holds the fluid. The sensor senses the light beam when a level of the fluid coincides with the one part of the light beam passing through the optical conduit, and the sensor does not sense the light beam when the level of the fluid coincides with the other part of the light beam passing through the fluid due to internal reflection at the fluid level.

Abstract: A multi-user touch system includes a surface on which are a pattern of mounted antennas. A transmitter transmits uniquely identifiable signals to each antenna. Receivers are capacitively coupled to different users, the receivers are configured to receive the uniquely identifiable signals. A processor then associates a specific antenna with a particular user when multiple users simultaneously touch any of the antennas.