Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing data. Initially, data is received in a single device. Such data is encoded utilizing the single device to generate first compressed data in a first format. Moreover, the first compressed data is transcoded utilizing the single device to generate second compressed data in a second format.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for compressing data. Initially, an interpolation formula is received. Such interpolation formula is utilized for compressing data. In use, it is determined whether at least one data value is required by the interpolation formula, where the required data value is unavailable. If such is the case, an extrapolation operation is performed to generate the required unavailable data value.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing data utilizing multiple encoders on a single integrated circuit. Initially, data is received in a single integrated circuit. The data is then encoded utilizing a plurality of encoders incorporated on the single integrated circuit. Another single module system and method are provided for compressing data. In use, photons are received utilizing a single module. Thereafter, compressed data representative of the photons is outputted utilizing the single module.

Abstract: A method for displaying interactive advertisements on a television having a controller connected thereto and configured for receiving input from a viewer of the television is disclosed. The controller has a receiver operable to receive advertisements and a processor operable to modify the advertisements. The method generally comprises requesting action by the viewer of the television, modifying an advertisement based on the action of the viewer, and displaying the modified advertisement on the television.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of finding a reference object within a coded object having a plurality of regions. Each region has a plurality of subregions, and at least a majority of a first one of the subregions has a different color from a second one of the subregions. The reference object has a known relative position to other objects within the coded object so that the reference object is utilizable to locate the other objects within the coded object. A first one of the subregions within a selected one of the regions within the coded object is selected. A first region and a second region within the coded object are also selected. The selected first and second region form a plurality of subregion pairs. Each subregion pair includes a subregion from the seleced first region and a subregion from the selected second region. Luminosity values of the subregions within each subregion pair are compared.

Abstract: Disclosed is an input device and method for interacting with motion pictures incorporating content-based haptic response. Content data relating to the motion picture is stored in a content data storage device while motion picture data is stored in a prerecorded image data storage device. A viewer input device is provided so that a viewer (end-user) can advance and reverse the frames on a display screen while substantially simultaneously, the content data is accessed and braking commands are sent to the viewer input device. The result is that the viewer is provided with haptic responses to the viewer's input through the viewer input device.

Abstract: A personal object or obstacle detector apparatus with enhanced stereo imaging capability includes a sonar system having dual receivers with field lobes positioned based on psychoacoustic considerations such as interaural intensity difference (IID) and interaural time difference (ITD). Receiver field pattern shapes and directions are selected to match the natural IID and ITD associated with human hearing. In one embodiment, dual receivers are used with a common transmitter while another embodiment utilizes two transmitter/receiver pairs with the transmitter and receiver collocated.

Abstract: An input device and method for interacting with motion pictures incorporating content-based haptic response is provided. Content data relating to the motion picture is stored in a content data storage device while motion picture data is stored in a prerecorded image data storage device. A viewer input device is provided so that a viewer (end-user) can move forwards and backwards through the frames on a display screen while substantially simultaneously, the content data is accessed and braking commands are sent to the viewer input device. The result is that the viewer is provided with haptic responses to the viewer's input through the viewer input device.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an angular rate of motion includes a body which defines a surface having a protuberant portion, and an orifice through the surface and proximate to the protuberant portion through which a fluid jet is directed along an initial jet axis. The protuberant portion directs the fluid jet in a path along the surface in accordance with the Coanda effect. A first flow sensor is fixed relative to the body and proximate to the path of the fluid jet along the surface of the body. The first flow sensor produces a first indication of a rate of flow of a first portion of the fluid jet proximate thereto. A second flow sensor is fixed relative to the body and proximate to the path of the fluid jet along the surface of the body. The second flow sensor produces a second indication of a rate of flow of a second portion of the fluid jet proximate thereto. The angular rate of motion of the body is sensed in dependence upon the first indication and the second indication.

Abstract: A personal object or obstacle detector apparatus comprises a continuous transmission frequency modulation (CTFM) ranging system and an audio output device. The CTFM ranging system transmits a frequency-swept pressure wave, receives a reflected frequency-swept pressure wave from at least one object, and forms an audio signal based upon a frequency difference between the frequency-swept pressure wave and the reflected frequency-swept pressure wave the audio signal having an amplitude dependent upon size of the object. The audio output device produces an acoustic pressure wave in dependence upon the audio signal. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic pressure wave contains separate tones for each of the objects detected, wherein each tone has a pitch dependent upon the distance from the CTFM ranging system to the corresponding object. Another embodiment utilizes a pair of CTFM ranging systems to produce a stereo auditory map of objects and obstacles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a position and an orientation utilize a radio frequency signal transmitted from an effective source location which moves along a first closed, non-planar path. The closed, non-planar path has a plurality of local extreme points with respect to a predetermined axis. The radio frequency signal is received at an effective receiving location which may, optionally, move along a second closed, non-planar path. A phase signal representative of the phase of the received radio frequency signal is detected. The phase signal is filtered and processed to form at least one signal quantity representative of elevation, bearing, and/or orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing signals indicative of X, Y, and Z parameter values onto a computer controlled display system having a computer and a display. A user activated input device is provided for sensing an input signal with an X value, a Y value and a Z value in the display system. The input device includes (i) a first electrically conductive sheet having a first terminal and a second terminal, (ii) a second electrically conductive sheet having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and (iii) a separator separating the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet. The input signal is provided by applying a pressure at a location on the first conductive sheet of the input device. The first sheet contacts the second sheet at the location. The location on the first conductive sheet corresponds to the X position and the Y position of the input signal to the display system. The pressure at the location corresponds to the Z value of the input signal to the display system.

Abstract: A multi-board computer system is described which comprises a main circuit board, a first circuit board having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and a second circuit board having a fifth surface. The main circuit board further includes means for generating a first board select signal to select the first circuit board and a second board select signal to select the second board. The first circuit board further includes a first input pin and a second input pin on the third surface, and a first output pin on the fourth surface. The first input pin corresponds to the first output pin. The first input pin is coupled to receive the first board select signal, and the second input pin is coupled to receive the second board select signal. The first circuit board is selected when it receives the first board select signal at the first input pin. The second circuit board further includes a third input pin. The third input pin is coupled to the first output pin of the first circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying images comprising a display capable of displaying rendered imagery. The apparatus comprises a rangefinder coupled to the display which is capable of determining the distance from a viewer to the display. The apparatus further comprises a means for displaying an image upon the display, the image having a perspective such that the display is a projection plane of a perspective volume. A distance from the projection plane to a center of the projection is proportional to the distance from the display to the viewer, and the distance from the center of the projection to the projection plane is dynamically modifiable depending on the distance detected by the rangefinder. The display may be transparent so that a background scene may be visible with the rendered image superimposed upon it.