Abstract: A touch-sensitive device for use as an electronic input device for controlling by scrolling the visible portion of a document or image relative to a display. The device can include various improved configurations such as physically separate opposed input surfaces at opposite longitudinal ends and/or lateral sides. The end regions of a touch sensitive surface may be rounded and/or tapered to provide relative positional feedback to the user. Tactile positional feedback can also include surface texture changes on the scrolling area and/or changes in the surface of the frame in the region immediately adjacent the scrolling area. The touch sensitive areas may be provided within a split alphanumeric section of an ergonomic keyboard to enable scrolling without the user having to remove his or her hands from the alphanumeric section.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed relating to a keyboard with integrated key and touchpad. In an example embodiment, a keyboard is provided that includes a plurality of keys, each key being capable of being pressed to select one or more keyboard inputs. The keyboard also includes a micro touchpad provided on an upper surface of a first key of the keys to allow pointer control by moving a finger or other object across a top surface of the micro touchpad.

Abstract: In a computer system, a touch sensitive input device having touch sensitive auxiliary controls system can be used to anticipate a user's action. When a user's hand approaches a touch sensitive input device, feedback can be displayed on a display screen. A user can receive feedback without activating the input device. The feedback may take the form of status information related to the feature controlled by the input device and can vary depending upon the application open. Likewise, when the hand of a user is moved away from the touch sensitive input device, the feedback brought on by sensing the user's hand may disappear.

Abstract: A computer receives data from a keyboard having one or more keys which cause generation of keyboard data that quantitatively describe the relative force applied to those keys. The keyboard data are transmitted in an HID report containing identifiers for one or more keys that have been pressed and force data for each key. The force data may be a multi-bit value quantifying the key force, or a null indicator signaling that the key is not force-sensing. Keyboard data messages are then prepared which identify keys pressed, contain force data, and may indicate whether the force data updates previous force data. Force updates are only provided to application programs registering for key force data. In other aspects of the invention, key repeat messages are automatically generated for a key held pressed by a user. The key repeat messages are generated at a rate controlled by the amount of force applied to the key.

Abstract: An object placed on an interactive display surface is detected and its position and orientation are determined in response to IR light that is reflected from an encoded marking on the object. Upon detecting the object on an interactive display surface, a software program produces a virtual entity or image visible through the object to perform a predefined function. For example, the object may appear to magnify text visible through the object, or to translate a word or phrase from one language to another, so that the translated word or phrase is visible through the object. When the object is moved, the virtual entity or image that is visible through the object may move with it, or can control the function being performed. A plurality of such objects can each display a portion of an image, and when correctly positioned, together will display the entire image, like a jigsaw puzzle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing power and data to devices coupled to the human body are described. The human body is used as a conductive medium, e.g., a bus, over which power and/or data is distributed. Power is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first set of electrodes. One or more devices to be powered, e.g., peripheral devices, are also coupled to the human body via additional sets of electrodes. The devices may be, e.g., a speaker, display, watch, keyboard, etc. A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies, different devices can be selectively 15 powered. For example, a 100 Hz signal may be used to power a first device while a 150 Hz signal may be used to power a second device. Digital data and/or other information signals, e.g., audio signals, can be modulated on the power signal using frequency and/or amplitude modulation techniques.

Abstract: Hardware input devices can provide context sensitive labels which can change according to an application running on a computer and/or the function assigned to an input element. An illustrative aspect includes employing ink having two or more electroluminescent pattern layers with an input device. Based on the context of a computer associated with the input device, an illuminated pattern identifies the current functionality of one or more of the inputs of the input device.

Abstract: A method and system for electronically scrolling a document with a data processing apparatus uses an input device, e.g., a mouse, to permit position based scrolling without first accessing a scroll bar or other scrolling functionality element. In a page positional scrolling (PPS) mode useful for scrolling short distances, a displayed document is scrolled one pixel per one pixel of motion of the mouse. In a second mode (document positional scrolling—DPS), the document is scrolled a distance per pixel of mouse movement corresponding to the ratio of the document length (or width) to the page length (or width). In a further embodiment (smoothed document positional scrolling—SDPS), as the mouse is moved away from a starting position the system begins scrolling in PPS, transitions smoothly from PPS to DPS, and then continues to scroll in DPS.

Abstract: A system (and corresponding method) that can enhance a user experience by augmenting real-world experiences with virtual world data to is provided. The augmented reality system discloses various techniques to personalize real-world experiences by overlaying or interspersing virtual capabilities (and data) with real world situations. The innovation can also filter, rank, modify or ignore virtual-world information based upon a particular real-world class, user identity or context.

Abstract: Systems (and corresponding methodologies) that annotate experience data in real-time are provided. The real-time annotated experience data can be employed in accordance with augmented reality systems which are capable of overlaying virtual data upon real-world data. The system employs ‘smart-tags’ that are capable of identifying data that relates to and/or is associated with the real-world scenarios and situations.

Abstract: A system (and corresponding methodology) that dynamically alters a storybook (e.g., literary work). Preferences, policies and contexts can be considered and incorporated into the storyline of the book to enhance interest by creating a rich, personalized experience. By enhancing readability and features (e.g., sensory features), stories become more true-to-life and enjoyable by altering the story over time or to differing context (or content).

Abstract: A system that can automatically capture life experiences of a user across a number of senses or perceptions is provided. Once the data is captured, it can be annotated and saved for subsequent playback. The innovation also enables the data to be synchronized to for playback, for example, audio can be time-synced to a corresponding video with a corresponding smell, etc. Still further, the innovation provides for controls that enable a user to adjust or select granularity for capture as well as playback.

Abstract: A system for directing light in an interactive display system so as to perform multiple functions. In addition to projecting images on the interactive display system, the system is used to distribute infrared (IR) light onto the display surface, and/or to receive and focus received IR light reflected from a physical object on the display surface. A light separating system separates a multi-waveband light from a source into a predominantly visible light and a predominantly non-visible light, the latter being redirected around visible light modulators and recombined with the modulated visible light for projection onto the display surface by a lensing system. In addition, or in the alternative, the light separating system separates predominantly non-visible light reflected from an object adjacent to the surface, from light produced by the source, directing only the non-visible light received to the light sensor used to image the display surface.

Abstract: An interactive display device employing a flat panel display (FPD). The interactive display device includes a housing, a flat panel display, a light diffusing layer, a visible light illumination system, and a non-visible light illumination system that is used for detecting objects adjacent to the FPD. Techniques are also described for providing uniform illumination of the FPD with visible light, when viewed from a plurality of viewing angles by a user, and for diffusing the visible illumination at a surface boundary of the FPD, such that a coherent image of an interior of the housing is at least partially obscured from view by the user. Non-visible light that has passed through the FPD is reflected from objects adjacent to the display, passes back through the FPD, and is detected within the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing power and data to devices coupled to the human body are described. The human body is used as a conductive medium, e.g., a bus, over which power and/or data is distributed. Power is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first set of electrodes. One or more devices to be powered, e.g., peripheral devices, are also coupled to the human body via additional sets of electrodes. The devices may be, e.g., a speaker, display, watch, keyboard, etc. A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies, different devices can be selectively 15 powered. For example, a 100 Hz signal may be used to power a first device while a 150 Hz signal may be used to power a second device. Digital data and/or other information signals, e.g., audio signals, can be modulated on the power signal using frequency and/or amplitude modulation techniques.

Abstract: A system for sharing collective information is provided. The system includes a profile component that receives information regarding a user's profile. A detection component determines profiles of other users related to the user's profile and a content component relays data associated with the other users in view of the user's profile.

Abstract: A system for dynamic content delivery is provided. The system includes a control component to determine location, preferences, and state of a user. A delivery component dynamically selects and provides content to the user as a function of the user's location, preferences, and state.

Abstract: A system to facilitate royalty tracking is provided. The system includes at least one tag to identify a portion of a creative work. A distribution component tracks the portion of the creative work and a crediting component reports usage of the creative work when the portion is detected in a larger body of work.

Abstract: A tactile touch-sensitive device for use as an electronic input device for indicating a position of an electronic document on a display device is described. The illuminable document position indicator aspect of the device provides a relative location of the electronic document on the display. The device may be included as part of a keyboard or an electronic book device. The illuminable document position indicator may be one or more static illuminable LEDs and/or a moveable light source and pivotable translucent elements which act as light wave guides. A controller may be used to control the illuminable document position indicator. The controller may change the color and/or intensity of LEDs based upon a displayed location of the electronic document relative to a beginning and an end of the electronic document.

Abstract: A computer receives data from a keyboard having one or more keys which cause generation of keyboard data that quantitatively describe the relative force applied to those keys. The keyboard data are transmitted in an HID report containing identifiers for one or more keys that have been pressed and force data for each key. The force data may be a multi-bit value quantifying the key force, or a null indicator signaling that the key is not force-sensing. Keyboard data messages are then prepared which identify keys pressed, contain force data, and may indicate whether the force data updates previous force data. Force updates are only provided to application programs registering for key force data. In other aspects of the invention, key repeat messages are automatically generated for a key held pressed by a user. The key repeat messages are generated at a rate controlled by the amount of force applied to the key.