Abstract: An image orientation system is provided wherein images (rays of lights) are projected to a user based on the user's field of view or viewing angle. As the rays of light are projected, streams of air can be produced that bend or focus the rays of light toward the user's field of view. The streams of air can be cold air, hot air, or combinations thereof. Further, an image receiver can be utilized to receive the produced image/rays of light directly in line with the user's field of view. The image receiver can be a wearable device, such as a head mounted display.

Abstract: Aspects relate to detecting gestures that relate to a desired action, wherein the detected gestures are common across users and/or devices within a surface computing environment. Inferred intentions and goals based on context, history, affordances, and objects are employed to interpret gestures. Where there is uncertainty in intention of the gestures for a single device or across multiple devices, independent or coordinated communication of uncertainty or engagement of users through signaling and/or information gathering can occur.

Abstract: A volumetric display system which enables user interaction is described. In an embodiment, the system consists of a volumetric display and an optical system. The volumetric display creates a 3D light field of an object to be displayed and the optical system creates a copy of the 3D light field in a position away from the volumetric display and where a user can interact with the image of the object displayed. In an embodiment, the optical system involves a pair of parabolic mirror portions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for triggering directional data capture based on pointing direction are described. In an embodiment, the data captured is an image and a camera is described which includes a sensor for detecting the direction in which the image sensor of the camera is pointing. When the sensed pointing direction is one in which a worthwhile image is likely to be taken, the camera is triggered to capture a new image. The determination of when to capture a new image uses a metric based on the sensed direction and one or more specified trigger conditions.

Abstract: Methods of reducing power consumption in a computing device are described in which file sharing applications which are running in the background are offloaded onto a lower power subsystem and the rest of the computing device can be put into a low power state. The lower power subsystem runs application stubs which autonomously execute a subset of the operations performed by a file sharing application which was previously running on the computing device. Before the rest of the computing device goes into the low power state, application state information is passed to the lower power subsystem for use by the application stubs. In an example, the application stub may continue to download files whilst the rest of the computing device is in standby or is shutdown and the application state information may include details of the files that are to be downloaded.

Abstract: An interactive surface computer with a switchable diffuser layer is described. The switchable layer has two states: a transparent state and a diffusing state. When it is in its diffusing state, a digital image is displayed and when the layer is in its transparent state, an image can be captured through the layer. In an embodiment, a projector is used to project the digital image onto the layer in its diffusing state and optical sensors are used for touch detection.

Abstract: Methods of encryption and decryption are described which use a key associated with an event to encrypt/decrypt data associated with the event. The method of encryption comprises identifying a key associated with an event and encrypting data using the identified key. The encrypted data is then published along with details of the event.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to cause them to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, the light sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured by the camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detected back to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, the first device can determine which other device detected the indicator that it displayed and therefore determine that this device is in close physical proximity to it. In an example, the first device is an interactive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses of devices which are placed on the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for triggering directional data capture based on pointing direction are described. In an embodiment, the data captured is an image and a camera is described which includes a sensor for detecting the direction in which the image sensor of the camera is pointing. When the sensed pointing direction is one in which a worthwhile image is likely to be taken, the camera is triggered to capture a new image. The determination of when to capture a new image uses a metric based on the sensed direction and one or more specified trigger conditions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a user input to a device through sensing of user-applied forces are described. A user applies forces to a rigid body as if to deform it and these applied forces are detected by force sensors in or on the rigid body. The resultant force on the rigid body is determined from the sensor data and this resultant force is used to identify a user input. In an embodiment, the user input may be a user input to a software program running on the device. In an embodiment the rigid body is the rigid case of a computing device which includes a display and which is running the software program.

Abstract: A device is described which enables users to interact with software running on the device through gestures made in an area adjacent to the device. In an embodiment, a portable computing device has proximity sensors arranged on an area of its surface which is not a display, such as on the sides of the device. These proximity sensors define an area of interaction adjacent to the device. User gestures in this area of interaction are detected by creating sensing images from data received from each of the sensors and then analyzing sequences of these images to detect gestures. The detected gestures may be mapped to particular inputs to a software program running on the device and therefore a user can control the operation of the program through gestures.

Abstract: Methods of reducing power consumption of networked devices are described. When a main processor and associated hardware in a computing device is powered down, a processing element, with lower power consumption than the main processor, performs networking functions on behalf of the main processor. The processing element monitors events and wakes the main processor when defined criteria are satisfied. In an embodiment, these network functions may be to maintain existing network connections and/or establish new network connections and the defined criteria may relate to messages received by the device which are analyzed by the processing element running the application layer code and these criteria may be configurable by a user of the device.

Abstract: Touch detection systems and methods are described. The system comprises a light guiding sheet, a light source, a reflective layer and a detector. When a fingertip or other suitable object is pressed against the light guiding sheet, light which is undergoing total internal reflection within the sheet is scattered. The scattered light is reflected by the reflective layer and detected by the detector. In an embodiment, the light is infra-red light. The touch detection system may, in some embodiments, be placed on a display and the touch events used to control the display.

Abstract: Methods of manipulating graphical objects are described. One or more graphical objects are displayed in a fixed orientation with reference to a sensed reference direction. Manipulation is achieved by fixing the orientation or position of a displayed graphical object with reference to an apparatus, such as the display itself or a proxy device, detecting a change in orientation of that apparatus and editing the orientation of the graphical object based on the detected change.

Abstract: A modular development platform is described which enables creation of reliable, compact, physically robust and power efficient embedded device prototypes. The platform consists of a base module which holds the processor and one or more peripheral modules each having a peripheral device and an interface element. The modules can be electrically and physically connected together. The base module communicates with peripheral modules using packets of data with an addressing portion which identifies the peripheral module that is the intended recipient of the data packet.

Abstract: Existing tools for organizing family memories offer few possibilities for easily integrating both physical and digital materials in order to produce a single archive for a family (or other group of users). This also applies to archiving of physical objects and digital media in general (even for applications outside the field of family use). An archiving system is described which incorporates at least one image capture device, a display, a sensing apparatus arranged to detect user input associated with the display, a processor and memory, and a receptacle for holding digital media storage devices such as mobile telephones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants and the like. The image capture device is operable to capture digital images of physical objects for archiving. The receptacle comprises a data transmission apparatus for automatically transferring data with the digital media storage devices and optionally also a power charging apparatus.

Abstract: A system that can enable remote monitoring and/or compliance determination by viewing sequences of images captured during an event is disclosed. For example, the innovation can employ captured event sequences to enable a viewer or third party to assess a subject's activities and/or actions. The granularity of the capture of event sequences can be programmed and triggered based upon sensory data. The system also provides mechanisms to locate images or sequences, playback images or sequences or images as well as to set compliance parameters associated with a preference or life style.

Abstract: A system that can enhance cognitive ability by viewing sequences of images captured during an event is disclosed. For example, the innovation can employ captured event sequences to improve failing memories in patients with a diagnosed memory condition such as acquired brain injury or neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. These event sequences can be captured in the point-of-view of a user (e.g., first person) as well as from a third person or other monitoring location (e.g., car).

Abstract: A system that can enable clinical trial compliance determination by viewing sequences of images captured during an event is disclosed. For example, the innovation can employ captured event sequences to enable a subject or third party to assess a subject's actions related to a medical trial. The capture of event sequences can be triggered based upon sensory data, radio frequency identification (RFID) data, pattern recognition data, etc. The system also provides mechanisms to locate images or sequences, playback images or sequences or images as well as to set compliance parameters associated with a particular clinical trial.

Abstract: A telecommunications device comprises a communication alert system arranged to inform the user that a telecommunications signal has been received. The communication alert system uses one of a number of different indicators. The controller is arranged to control the selection of the one of a plurality of indicators such that the selection is affected by a user selectable component of the received telecommunications signal.