Abstract: A method for detecting and alerting a driver of vehicles in their blind spots, includes: tracking movement and relative position of a driver to one or more vehicles; determining one or more driver blind spots; determining when at least one of the one or more vehicles approaches one of the driver blind spots; determining when at least one of the one or more vehicles occupies one of the driver blind spots; activating one or more indicators in response to one or more vehicles approaching and occupying one of the driver blind spots; wherein the one or more indicators comprise light emitting diodes (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, projected elements, and electroluminescent elements; and wherein a sequence and pattern of activating the one or more indicators is determined based on the relative position of the driver to the one or more vehicles.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems for editing using an interface for selecting and presenting editing tools are described. An input document is received for editing. A strategy for editing the document is identified. Editing tools are selected to edit the document, and the selected editing tools are presented.

Abstract: A method for detecting and alerting a user of objects in their blind spots, includes: tracking movement and relative position of a user to one or more objects; determining a blind spot of the user; determining when at least one of the one or more objects occupies the blind spot of the user; and transmitting a signal to a user mobile device to perform an alarm operation when at least one of the one or more objects occupies the blind spot of the user.

Abstract: Using metadata to detect alteration of data. A first set of metadata characteristics including at least one respective semantic description are recorded for a first set of data representing original data. A second set of metadata characteristics including at least one corresponding semantic description are recorded for a second set of data representing data under test. The first and second sets of metadata characteristics are compared. If the first and second sets of metadata characteristics are not identical, these sets are processed to identify locations in the first set of data that have been altered. Using the at least one semantic description for the first set of data and the at least one corresponding semantic description for the second set of data, one or more metadata characteristics that have changed from the first set of data to the second set of data are identified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for finding information contained in email, the method including linking a plurality of email databases with a computing resource operated by a primary user, the plurality of email databases including a primary database operated by the primary user and at least one secondary database operated by at least one secondary user. The method also includes determining criteria to be searched in the email databases, requesting permission from the secondary users to search the secondary databases for the criteria, and obtaining permission from the secondary users to search the secondary databases at the discretion decision of the secondary user. The method further includes employing a universal interface adapter to search the email databases, searching for the criteria in the email databases for which the permission was obtained, finding information including the criteria via the searching, and receiving the information at the primary computing resource.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated methods, for stabilizing an image. The apparatus includes an aiming device to be aimed at a moving image, a transforming device which transforms the image into a non-moving image; and a displaying device which displays the non-moving image. The apparatus and methods are of particular benefit, for example, to individuals with Parkinson's disease and/or individuals attempting to work on a laptop computer or read a book while travelling via airplane, boat, train or road vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for accessing user personal information. In such method, personal information belonging to a particular user is stored at a user information processing system such as a user computer. A form may then be displayed on the user information processing system. A user-provided recall input can then be received at the user information processing system and the fact of its receipt can be indicated on the form. Using the recall input, the stored user personal information can be accessed for processing in connection with the displayed form. Display of information at the user information processing system may then be manipulated based on a result of the processing.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the efficiency of foreign accent/language communications processing are disclosed. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a technique for processing a call received by a call center, includes the following steps/operations. A call is obtained. Then, at least one of an accent and a language spoken by a caller making the call is identified. The call is then directed to an appropriate operator at a first level of the call center based on at least one of the automatically identified accent and the automatically identified language. The techniques may also include multiple-purpose editing, automated translation, and restating methodologies.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for augmenting audio/visual broadcasts (e.g., movies) with non-textual annotations that are designed to assist an individual to interpret or otherwise understand the content of the audio/visual broadcast. For example, the non-textual annotations can be in the form of visual cues, audio cues, tactile cues, olfactory cues, and/or other types of non-textual cues that assist persons with certain types of sensory deficiencies or cognitive disabilities to understand and interpret the content of a broadcast.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method for facilitating operation of a vehicle by a driver with a potentially debilitating condition. At least one sensor provides sensor data corresponding to at least one of a vehicle condition or a driver condition. A database includes potentially debilitating condition data and symptoms data corresponding thereto. A central processing unit is in data communication with the database and the at least one sensor. The central processing monitors the operation of the vehicle by the driver based on the sensor data and the database.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for portable and universal receipt of closed captioning services by a user are provided in accordance with the invention. The invention permits a user to receive closed captioning services wherever he or she may be viewing video content with an audio component in accordance with a video/audio content display system (e.g., television set, computer monitor, movie theater), regardless of whether the content display system provides closed captioning capabilities. Also, the invention permits a user to receive closed captioning services independent of the video/audio content display system that they are using to view the video content.

Abstract: A method for providing a service for a traveler to acquire at least one item at the traveler's destination, comprising the steps of receiving a request from a traveler for obtaining at least one item; providing the traveler with the option to one of rent and purchase the at least one item, arranging for the at least one item to be supplied, arranging for shipping of the at least one item to a location selected by the traveler at a time selected by the traveler; and conducting a transaction with the traveler for obtaining the at least one item.

Abstract: A method for promoting use of a product having an adaptation module is provided comprising the steps of: providing sample data of a person; accessing the sample data associated with the person; using the sample data to adapt the product to the person utilizing the adaptation module of the product; making the product available to the person; tracking use of the adapted product by the selected person; storing data in the person database as tracking data associated with the selected person; obtaining feedback data from the selected person regarding the selected person's satisfaction with the product; storing the feedback data in the person database in association with the selected person; incorporating the tracking data and the feedback data associated with the selected person into an advertisement; and advertising the product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus improve the synchronization and presentation of an exchange of messages between two or more users during an on-line Internet messaging session. This method and apparatus discriminate which messages from a sender correspond to replies from a recipient and presents these messages in an orderly, time-sequenced fashion using color schemes or separate presentation windows which improves the overall readability and efficiency of the communication. Additionally, the method and apparatus provide a level of identity security. As a user enters messages, the typing style, speech patterns, or biometrics of all the users are monitored and will issue warnings whenever a change is detected, possibly indicating someone other then the original user is now sending messages. Alternatively, or in addition, a user may be asked a series of random questions and another user will evaluate answers provided to those questions to determine whether a user's identity is false.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a printing capability using peripheral or stand-alone devices are disclosed. In the system and method, portions of a multimedia presentation, transcribed text, or both are output to a printing device. In the preferred embodiment, transcribed text is output to a fax machine by means of a Real Time Transcription Fax Server, which can also interleave other material into the fax output, and/or synchronize the fax output with other devices, such as monitors and speakers.

Abstract: Apparatus for presenting images representative of one or more words in an utterance with corresponding decoded speech includes, in one aspect, a visual detector for capturing images of body movements (e.g., lip and/or mouth movements) corresponding to the one or more words in the utterance coupled to a visual feature extractor. The visual feature extractor receives time information from an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system and operatively processes the captured images from the visual detector to generate one or more image segments based on the time information relating to one or more decoded words in the utterance, each image segment corresponding to a decoded word in the utterance. An image player coupled to the visual feature extractor presents an image segment with a corresponding decoded word.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transcribing speech when a number of speakers are participating. A number of different speech recognition systems, each with a different speaker model, are executed in parallel. When the identity of all of the participating speakers is known and a speaker model is available for each participant, each speech recognition system employs a different speaker model suitable for a corresponding participant. Each speech recognition system decodes the speech and generates a corresponding confidence score. The decoded output having the highest confidence score is selected for presentation to a user. When all participating speakers are not known, or when there are too many participants to implement a unique speaker model for each participant, a speaker independent speech recognition system is employed together with a speaker specific speech recognition system.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for real time transcription or translation services. In one aspect of the system and method, a user requests transcription/translation service with certain service parameters. It is determined what resources can be used for such service, and, if all the service parameters can be met, the service is performed. Resources include live stenographers or translators, and computer processing power. If all the service parameters can not be met, it is determined whether to perform the service by meeting only some of the service parameters. These determinations may be programmed into the system beforehand. In another aspect of the system and method, a user makes a request for transcription/translation service, and the request is displayed so that stenographers or translators may make bids to perform the transcription/translation service. In some embodiments, the request is only displayed to those stenographers or translators who are determined to be able to perform the service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a comfortable, user-friendly environment that allows a hearing impaired user to identify who is speaking and preferably what is being said during interactions with other individuals, e.g., at any form of meeting. In accordance with the invention, it is determined whether or not someone is speaking. If yes, then the speaker's position is identified. It is also determined whether the speaker is in the range of view for the user's display. If yes, an illuminated dot is projected above the speaker on a wearable display to show the user where the speaker is located. If no, a directional arrow is projected on the display to indicate to the user which way he should look to see the current speaker.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a virtual network. The method comprises the steps of providing each of a plurality of mobile objects with a transceiver, and transmitting a cellular/radio signals from a source. At least a first of the mobile objects is located in an area where the transceiver of the first mobile object does not receive the signal directly from the source, while a second of the mobile objects is in a position where the transceiver of the second mobile object receives the signal directly from the source. The transceiver of the second mobile object is used to receive the signal directly from the source and to transmit the signal to the transceiver of the first mobile object.