Abstract: A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary and adjacent relative to the object surface, enables power to the sensor at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is moving and adjacent relative to the object surface, and enables power to the sensor at a third time interval when the hand-held device is determined to be in a position that is removed relative to the object surface.

Abstract: A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary and adjacent relative to the object surface, enables power to the sensor at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is moving and adjacent relative to the object surface, and enables power to the sensor at a third time interval when the hand-held device is determined to be in a position that is removed relative to the object surface.

Abstract: A device includes a sensor which generates a value representative of a position of the device relative to an object surface. The device then uses the value obtained from the sensor to automatically transition from a first state in which the input interface is enabled to a second state in which at least a portion of the input interface is inhibited.

Abstract: A utensil scrubber apparatus for use with a sink drain comprises an insert sized to tightly fit within a sink drain and having first and second portions. The first portion provides circular peripheral flange and a medial opening for allowing both liquids and solids to pass down through the insert and into the sink drain. The second portion is axially concentric with the first portion and extends downwardly, providing a tapered circular outer surface for tightly fitting within the sink drain. A plurality of resilient bristles upwardly extend from the top surface of the first portion in a position adjacent to the opening. The bristles are sized and arranged in such a way as to allow for a relatively easy means of dislodging food from a utensil. In the preferred embodiment, the insert contains a scenting agent for masking potentially unpleasant odors emanating from the sink drain.

Abstract: A system and method for setting up a user interface of a remote control. The remote control displays a logical group of function keys the activation of which will cause the remote control to transmit a command to a target device and a plurality of indicators representative of devices. A user input functions to select one of the plurality of indicators and the device represented by the selected indicator is assigned as the target device for the logical group of function keys.

Abstract: An EL display is provided with EL segments which are individually illuminable and which include one or more complete function key images and/or fragments of complete function key images. One or more of the EL segments may thus be illuminated to present multiple, different user interfaces each having one or more complete function key images. A complete function key image presented as part of a user interface may be a complete key image that was included as part of an illuminated EL segment or may be formed by a combination of key image fragments included as part of multiple illuminated EL segments.

Abstract: A controlling device for operating a PC and one or more home appliances. The described controlling device has integrated mouse and remote control functions, and may be configured to automatically detect whether the controlling device is being used as a mouse or as a remote control. For effective operation in both control modes, the controlling device includes both RF and IR transmitters, and is configured to transition between these transmission mediums based on the detection of whether the controlling device is being used as a mouse or as a remote control.

Abstract: A system and method for setting up a user interface of a remote control. The remote control displays a logical group of function keys the activation of which will cause the remote control to transmit a command to a target device and a plurality of indicators representative of devices. A user input functions to select one of the plurality of indicators and the device represented by the selected indicator is assigned as the target device for the logical group of function keys.