Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus regarding electronic eyewear are disclosed. Different embodiments can be applicable for seniors. One embodiment includes an eyewear that can charge when placed in an eyewear case. A user can access a live operator by tapping a button at the eyewear. The live operator can connect the user to a person. The eyewear can detect falls. In another embodiment, the eyewear with a digital assistant can be voice activated, and can provide assistance via the digital assistant. In yet another embodiment, the eyewear includes a position identifying system to identify a position of the eyewear. In one embodiment, the eyewear could wirelessly interact with a device coupled to an apparatus in the vicinity of the eyewear.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a portable reading device for reading a paginated e-book, with at least a page including a section including text linked to an illustration. The device can layout the section by keeping the text with the illustration to be displayed in one screen, and maintaining the pagination of the e-book if the page is displayed in more than one screen. Another embodiment includes reading materials with a text sub file with texts, an illustration sub file with illustrations, and a logic sub file with rules on displaying the materials. Either the text or the illustration sub file includes position information linking at least an illustration to a corresponding piece of text. One embodiment includes reading materials with a logic sub file that can analyze an attribute of, and provide a response to, a reader. Another embodiment can be an eyewear presenting device, allowing for hands-free presenting.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to analyze and present location information in an easy-to-digest manner are disclosed. In one embodiment, each piece of location information can include a piece of location-designating information and a piece of location-related information. Location-designating information is primarily for identifying location. Location-related information is information related to location-designating information. The location-designating information and the location-related information can be supplied by a mobile device. With the help of location-related information, each piece of location-designating information can be more accurately transformed into a label to help identify a location. The amount of location information can be reduced. All of the location-designating information pertaining to a given area can be consolidated into one piece of location-designating information related to the label.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus regarding electronic eyewear are disclosed. Different embodiments can be applicable for seniors. One embodiment includes an eyewear that can charge when placed in an eyewear case. A user can access a live operator by tapping a button at the eyewear. The live operator can connect the user to a person. The eyewear can detect falls. In another embodiment, the eyewear with a digital assistant can be voice activated, and can provide assistance via the digital assistant. In yet another embodiment, the eyewear includes a position identifying system to identify a position of the eyewear. In one embodiment, the eyewear could wirelessly interact with a device coupled to an apparatus in the vicinity of the eyewear.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a network apparatus at a store for allowing digital amenities to be accessed at the store by a mobile device of a user. The network apparatus includes a network interface, a storage module to keep digital amenities and a computing module. The network interface can be designed to couple to the mobile device at the store, and to a computing device outside the store. The network interface can be designed to recognize the mobile device at the store based on a piece of software related to the store in the mobile device. The computing module can be designed to help the mobile device to access a first digital amenity from the storage module in view of the piece of software. Based on the access, a second digital amenity from the computing device can be pre-stored at the storage module.

Abstract: Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear (e.g., eyeglasses) without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. The eyewear with electronic components can, for example, provide audio output, audio enhancements, or event-related audio content.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message.

Abstract: Different computing methods and systems to at least compose at least a portion of a story are disclosed. In one embodiment, the story can be presented by an electronic device. The device can include a sensor to sense the user, and a processor. The processor can become aware of an attribute of the user. The story can depend on the attribute. In one embodiment, the attribute can be a behavior of the user. In another embodiment, the attribute can be a location of the user, or a social network of the user. The story can include a story theme and a non-story theme. The story theme can convey a concept, and the non-story theme can include scenes, scripts and/or props. The attribute can affect the story theme, the non-story theme, or both.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message. In one embodiment, the message can be received by the user via a headset.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to analyze and present location information in an easy-to-digest manner are disclosed. In one embodiment, each piece of location information can include a piece of location-designating information and a piece of location-related information. Location-designating information is primarily for identifying location. Location-related information is information related to location-designating information. The location-designating information and the location-related information can be supplied by a mobile device. With the help of location-related information, each piece of location-designating information can be more accurately transformed into a label to help identify a location. The amount of location information can be reduced. All of the location-designating information pertaining to a given area can be consolidated into one piece of location-designating information related to the label.

Abstract: Eyewear having monitoring capability, such as for radiation or motion, is disclosed. Radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, infrared (IR) radiation or light, can be measured by a detector. The measured radiation can then be used in providing radiation-related information to a user of the eyewear. Motion can be measure by a detector, and the measured motion can be used to determine whether the eyewear is being worn.

Abstract: Different embodiments of methods and apparatus to produce audio output signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic speaker outputting ultrasonic signals can be transformed into first audio output signals, which are directional. A non-ultrasonic speaker can output second audio output signals. The embodiment can be configured to output the first audio output signals or the second audio output signals in a vehicle. Another embodiment can be configured to output the first and the second audio output signals together. Yet another embodiment can be configured to be personalized to hearing characteristics of a user, or to depend on sound level of an environment of the user. One embodiment can include a directional speaker attached to a vehicle, with its output steerable towards a user in the vehicle.

Abstract: Different computing methods and systems to at least compose at least a portion of a story are disclosed. In one embodiment, the story can be presented by an electronic device. The device includes a sensor regarding an attribute of the user. The story can depend on the attribute. In one embodiment, the attribute is a behavior of the user. In another embodiment, the attribute can be a location of the user, or a social network of the user. The story can include a story theme and a non-story theme. The story theme can convey a concept, and the non-story theme can include scenes, scripts and/or props. The attribute can affect the story theme, the non-story theme, or both.

Abstract: Different methods and apparatuses applicable to prepare materials for a user. One embodiment includes a device, with an imaging sensor. Based on analyzing a user attribute from the imaging sensor monitoring the user, the device can identify and access an area of the materials for the user. The area includes a section, and the device can layout the section by keeping a piece of text together with an illustration to be displayed in at least two screens of different sizes. Another embodiment includes materials with a text sub file with texts, an illustration sub file with illustrations, and a logic sub file with instructions to prepare materials for the user. Either the text or the illustration sub file can include position information linking at least an illustration to a corresponding piece of text. Annotations could be added to the materials.

Abstract: Eyewear having monitoring capability, such as for radiation, is disclosed. Radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, infrared (IR) radiation or light, can be measured by a detector. The measured radiation can then be used in providing radiation-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their exposure to radiation.

Abstract: Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear (e.g., eyeglasses) without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. Often, the electrical components can be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. In some embodiments, tethered electrical components can be coupled to electrical components in or attached to a pair of eyeglasses. Tethered electrical components, alone or in combination with eyeglass electrical components can be used for a variety of different applications and uses.

Abstract: Methods and systems to produce audio output signals from audio input signals. In one embodiment, a first portion of the audio input signals can be pre-processed, with the output used to modulate ultrasonic carrier signals, thereby producing modulated ultrasonic signals. The modulated ultrasonic signals can be transformed into a first portion of the audio output signals, which is directional. Based on a second portion of the audio input signals, a standard audio speaker can output a second portion of the audio output signals. Another embodiment further produces distortion compensated signals based on the pre-processed signals. The distortion compensated signals can be subtracted from the second portion of the audio input signals to generate inputs for the standard audio speaker to output the second portion of the audio output signals. In yet another embodiment, noise can be added during pre-processing of the first portion of the audio input signals.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a mobile device, having at least an imaging sensor, applicable for reading materials, with at least a section including text linked to an illustration. Annotations could be added to the materials. The device can layout the section by keeping the text with the illustration to be displayed in one screen. Another embodiment includes materials with a text sub file with texts, an illustration sub file with illustrations, and a logic sub file with rules on displaying the materials. Either the text or the illustration sub file includes position information linking at least an illustration to a corresponding piece of text. Yet another embodiment includes materials with a logic sub file that can analyze an attribute of, and provide a response to, a user.

Abstract: A number of embodiments regarding computer-implemented systems and methods to manage electronic communications are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus, using at least a network-based portal based on Internet protocol, provides different communication modes to a first user, with messages eligible to be received by a second user based on any of the modes, depending on an identifier associated with the second user; and receives an indication from the first user to select a communication mode for a message for the second user. In the embodiment, the apparatus could receive contact information associated with the second user to allow the second user to participate, with the contact information not provided to the first user even when the message is received by the second user, and with the contact information being distinct from the identifier.