Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, provided is a hand-held printer system and method for printing on a target. The system includes a hand-held printer, a target position sensing system which senses a position of the target, and a hand-held printer position sensing system which senses a position of the hand-held printer relative to a printing surface of the target. A control mechanism actuates the printing of the hand-held printer based on the sensed positions.

Abstract: A swoopy text method and system for generating and displaying curved text to connect primary source data with secondary data, including alternatively connecting different text streams, to augment the meaning of original text and/or to replace the meaning of the original text stream with secondary data.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for password protecting user access to a computer system. One or more images are displayed to a user. The user is then required to perform a sequence of actions involving the images. The performed sequence of actions is compared with a predefined sequence of actions. If the performed sequence of actions matches the predefined sequence of actions, user access is permitted.

Abstract: By using dynamic text and an interface utilizing a familiar metaphor, reading speed and comprehension can be increased. In particular, the interface, which is based on a familiar metaphor, such as driving, allows a user to concentrate on the real task at hand, reading, as opposed to manipulation of the interface. Thus, using a combination of a familiar metaphor and rapid serial presentation, dynamic text can be efficiently negotiated.

Abstract: Identifier tags are embedded in pages of a document. Each of these identifier tags identifies the particular page that a reader is viewing. By correlating the currently read page to information stored memory, dynamic content corresponding to the currently read page can be activated. Additionally, proximity sensors are associated with one or more portions of the document. Thus, the range of dynamic content can also be activated by placing an object within the sensible area of the proximity sensors. This dynamic content can include, for example, lighting, sound effects, environmental conditions, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system of multiple devices and multiple users, wherein the identity and location of each device and user may be known to the system. A method is described for establishing media connections between at least a first user and a second user based on the context of the system and the environment of the particular device, computing devices, or users. The system receives a media connection request from the first user, including information indicating the first user preferences for media, and identifies the intended recipient user or users. The location and media devices in proximity to each of the users is determined, and the preset profiles and policies of the users involved are determined. Each user may specify acceptable media connections and contextual attributes. When the contextual attributes and acceptable media connections for each user are consistent, media device communications paths are established.

Abstract: In a carrier sense multiple-access (CSMA) network, such as a wireless network or a LAN, a transceiver which initiates a transmission to a recipient transceiver in the same medium sends out, prefatory to a bulk of data, a field representative of the length of the data, and another field symbolic of the rate at which the data is to be sent. Non-participant transceivers in the medium receive the data length field and the data rate field, and calculate a length of time they must inhibit themselves to avoid a data collision with the transmitting transceiver, while the participants come to a common agreement at which they can send and receive data.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for superimposing prespecified locational, environmental, and contextual controls on user interactions, including interactions of mobile users, with computational resources. A system is described for electronically monitoring contextual information concerning users and machines, including state and locational information including proximity. Interaction policies, including user specified interaction policies, may be registered on an identifiable address path. Methods are described for detecting, selecting and controlling computercontrolled devices, based on the proximity of the device to the user, the current context of the user, the location of other nearby users and devices, and the current state of the devices. Temporary transfer of control, including exclusive control, of particular computers and computer controlled devices to individual users based on the context and environment in proximity to those computing devices is also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for superimposing prespecified locational, environmental, and contextual controls on user interactions, including interactions of mobile users, with computational resources. A system is described for electronically monitoring contextual information concerning users and machines, including state and locational information including proximity. Interaction policies, including user specified interaction policies, may be registered on an identifiable address path. Methods are described for detecting, selecting and controlling computercontrolled devices, based on the proximity of the device to the user, the current context of the user, the location of other nearby users and devices, and the current state of the devices. Temporary transfer of control, including exclusive control, of particular computers and computer controlled devices to individual users based on the context and environment in proximity to those computing devices is also described.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for maintaining processing continuity in a network having a network accessible application and an intermittently connected wireless mobile unit. A transceiver is connected to the network for wireless communication with the mobile unit, and a gateway connected to the network is used to control the transceiver. A stationary processor is connected to the gateway and configured to support access to the network accessible application, which can run either on the stationary processor itself or on a remote processor. Use of network accessible applications from the mobile unit is mediated by an agent dedicated to communication and processing control of the mobile unit. The agent runs on the stationary processor and is connected to the gateway for handling communications between the mobile unit and the network accessible application.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for superimposing prespecified locational, environmental, and contextual controls on user interactions, including interactions of mobile users, with computational resources. A system is described for electronically monitoring contextual information concerning users and machines, including state and locational information including proximity. Interaction policies, including user specified interaction policies, may be registered on an identifiable address path. Methods are described for detecting, selecting and controlling computercontrolled devices, based on the proximity of the device to the user, the current context of the user, the location of other nearby users and devices, and the current state of the devices. Temporary transfer of control, including exclusive control, of particular computers and computer controlled devices to individual users based on the context and environment in proximity to those computing devices is also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for superimposing prespecified locational, environmental, and contextual controls on user interactions, including interactions of mobile users, with computational resources. A system is described for electronically monitoring contextual information concerning users and machines, including state and locational information including proximity. Interaction policies, including user specified interaction policies, may be registered on an identifiable address path. Methods are described for detecting, selecting and controlling computercontrolled devices, based on the proximity of the device to the user, the current context of the user, the location of other nearby users and devices, and the current state of the devices. Temporary transfer of control, including exclusive control, of particular computers and computer controlled devices to individual users based on the context and environment in proximity to those computing devices is also described.

Abstract: A Document Card (DocuCard) for storing documents and which is content revealing. The DocuCard is a transportable unit having a nonvolatile storage means for storing information in a digital form, a control processor for processing user initiated functions; an I/O port for interfacing to external devices for reading and writing digital information, and a user interface for allowing a user to directly interact with the DocuCard. The user interface on the DocuCard includes a display for displaying lists of functions and documents and information responsive to user invoked functions and a user input portion for allowing a user to traverse the lists of functions and documents, as well as information generated responsive to an invoked function. The control processor of the present invention include features for controlling access to documents stored therein.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for selectively delivering electronic messages to an identified user or users in a system of mobile and fixed devices, including multiple display devices and multiple users, based on the context of the system and the environment of the identified user. Electronic messages intended for an identified user or users may be given a level of privacy and a level priority, and contextual attributes for its delivery may be specified. The system perceives contextual attributes for the recipient user or users, including display devices in close proximity to the identified users, and determines a display property for said electronic message based on the contextual attributes, the user profile properties of each user, and the level of privacy and level of priority of the electronic message.

Abstract: A system is provided for servicing requests by a mobile controller to utilize stationary or mobile resources present within a partitioned communication cell such as an office or room in a building. The mobile controller has a control signal mechanism for generating control request signals to modify behavior of the stationary or mobile resource, with the range of the control request signals substantially limited to the partitioned communication cell. A room agent receives and acts upon the control request signals after dynamically determining availability of both mobile resources entering and exiting the partitioned communication cell and stationary resources already present in the partitioned communication cell.

Abstract: A porous surface receiver and concentrator of reflected solar radiation. The receiver is part of a moderately or strongly concentrating solar collector such as a solar power tower system. In the latter, radiation is reflected by a plurality of heliostats disposed about the tower on which the receiver is mounted. The solar radiation is reflected onto the central heat transfer receiver where the energy is transferred to a working fluid. Atmospheric air is used as the working fluid. The air is drawn through the porous matrix of the receiver surface and is heated to a high temperature in the range of 500.degree. to 1500.degree. C. with only a moderate pressure drop. The radiant heat flux input may be hundreds of times the incoming solar flux to the earth surface. The hot air can be used in a thermal storage system, or directly in a heat exchanger, or the like.