Abstract: A set of reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices includes two or more modules and at least one of the modules has an input button or other control and at least one of the modules can communicate with the computing device without needing to be connected to it via a wire. The input button is mapped to a user input in a program, such as a game, which is running or displayed on the computing device to which the modules are clipped. In an embodiment, user inputs via the buttons or other controls on the clip-on modules are mapped to user inputs in a game running on the device, which may be a touch-screen device, and the mapping between user inputs via the buttons and user inputs in the game may change dependent upon the game being played, user preference, or other criteria.

Abstract: Mobile device localization using audio signals is described. In an example, a mobile device is localized by receiving a first audio signal captured by a microphone located at the mobile device and a second audio signal captured from a further microphone. A correlation value between the first audio signal and second audio signal is computed, and this is used to determine whether the mobile device is in proximity to the further microphone. In one example, the mobile device can receive the audio signals from the further microphone and calculate the correlation value. In another example, a server can receive the audio signals from the mobile device and the further microphone and calculate the correlation value. In examples, the further microphone can be a fixed microphone at a predetermined location, or the further microphone can be a microphone located in another mobile device.

Abstract: A set of reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices includes two or more modules and at least one of the modules has an input button or other control and at least one of the modules can communicate with the computing device without needing to be connected to it via a wire. The input button is mapped to a user input in a program, such as a game, which is running or displayed on the computing device to which the modules are clipped. In an embodiment, user inputs via the buttons or other controls on the clip-on modules are mapped to user inputs in a game running on the device, which may be a touch-screen device, and the mapping between user inputs via the buttons and user inputs in the game may change dependent upon the game being played, user preference, or other criteria.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automatic monitoring of fluid of a patient are disclosed, comprising a patient line, a transfer disk which receives the fluid and controllably transfers the fluid to test substrates, and a sensor disk which houses the test substrates. The sterile transfer disk may be configured to maintain the sterility of the patient sampling assembly while transferring samples to non-sterile components, such as the sensor disk.

Abstract: Mobile device localization using audio signals is described. In an example, a mobile device is localized by receiving a first audio signal captured by a microphone located at the mobile device and a second audio signal captured from a further microphone. A correlation value between the first audio signal and second audio signal is computed, and this is used to determine whether the mobile device is in proximity to the further microphone. In one example, the mobile device can receive the audio signals from the further microphone and calculate the correlation value. In another example, a server can receive the audio signals from the mobile device and the further microphone and calculate the correlation value. In examples, the further microphone can be a fixed microphone at a predetermined location, or the further microphone can be a microphone located in another mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for displaying dynamic status information on a plurality of devices and enabling interactions between these devices are described. In an embodiment, a trigger signal is sent to one or more computing devices to trigger the launch of an application client on the computing device. The trigger signal is generated on another device in response to a user interacting with the displayed status information. This other device may be an impoverished device which displays status information for an application but is not capable of running the application client. In various embodiments, the status information is displayed in the form of a GUI element called a tile and this status information may be pushed to the device by a proxy server. The trigger signal may be sent to multiple devices or in some embodiments, a computing device may be selected to receive the trigger signal.

Abstract: A set of reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices includes two or more modules and at least one of the modules has an input button or other control and at least one of the modules can communicate with the computing device without needing to be connected to it via a wire. The input button is mapped to a user input in a program, such as a game, which is running or displayed on the computing device to which the modules are clipped. In an embodiment, user inputs via the buttons or other controls on the clip-on modules are mapped to user inputs in a game running on the device, which may be a touch-screen device, and the mapping between user inputs via the buttons and user inputs in the game may change dependent upon the game being played, user preference, or other criteria.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automatic monitoring of fluid of a patient are disclosed, comprising a patient line, a transfer disk which receives the fluid and controllably transfers the fluid to test substrates, and a sensor disk which houses the test substrates. The sterile transfer disk may be configured to maintain the sterility of the patient sampling assembly while transferring samples to non-sterile components, such as the sensor disk.

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: An integrated circuit (IC) chip having repeaters for propagating signals along relatively long wires that extend between and among lower-level physical blocks of the IC chip, wherein the repeaters are implemented as clocked flip-flops (or “repeater flops”). A method for automatically inserting and allocating such repeater flops during the logical and physical design of the IC chip is also provided.

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: In one implementation, a conference bridge connects endpoints in a media conference. The various endpoints may have a wide range of video capabilities and audio capabilities. The video conference bridge learns the video capabilities of the endpoints and formulates a media plan based on these capabilities. The media plan instructs the endpoints on the types of media streams to produce. The video conference bridge may shape a media stream received from one of the endpoints by removing one or more layers. Accordingly, each endpoint decodes only the media streams that can be encoded by another endpoint and receives the best possible media stream from each endpoint.

Abstract: A tabletop display providing multiple views to users is described. In an embodiment the display comprises a rotatable view-angle restrictive filter and a display system. The display system displays a sequence of images synchronized with the rotation of the filter to provide multiple views according to viewing angle. These multiple views provide a user with a 3D display or with personalized content which is not visible to a user at a sufficiently different viewing angle. In some embodiments, the display comprises a diffuser layer on which the sequence of images are displayed. In further embodiments, the diffuser is switchable between a diffuse state when images are displayed and a transparent state when imaging beyond the surface can be performed. The device may form part of a tabletop comprising with a touch-sensitive surface. Detected touch events and images captured through the surface may be used to modify the images being displayed.

Abstract: Retrieval and display of digital media items is described. For example, the digital media items may be photographs, videos, audio files, emails, text documents or parts of these. In an embodiment a dedicated apparatus having a touch display screen is provided in a form designed to look like a domestic fish tank. In an embodiment graphical animated agents are depicted on the display as fish whose motion varies according to at least one behavior parameter which is pseudo random. In embodiments, the agents have associated search criteria and when a user selects one or more agents the associated search criteria are used in a retrieval operation to retrieve digital media items from a store. In some embodiments media items are communicated between the apparatus and a portable communications device using a communications link established by tapping the portable device against the media retrieval and display apparatus.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic user interfaces are described. In embodiments, user interface devices are described that can detect the location of movement on a user-touchable portion by sensing movement of a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments sensors are arranged in a two dimensional array, and the user interface device can determine the location of the movement in a plane substantially parallel to the two-dimensional array and the acceleration of movement substantially perpendicular to the two-dimensional array. In other embodiments, user interface devices are described that can cause a raised surface region to be formed on a ferrofluid layer of a user-touchable portion, which is detectable by the touch of a user. Embodiments describe how the raised surface region can be moved on the ferrofluid layer. Embodiments also describe how the raised surface region can be caused to vibrate.

Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments, method and systems for software accessibility testing are provided. Aspects of the exemplary embodiments include: obtaining accessibility information on content of a graphical user interface (GUI) of software under test, wherein accessibility information is content of the GUI for which describing text is available or content of the GUI which is accessible by keyboard use; determining content of the GUI which should not be available in a test due to a lack of accessibility information; restricting the GUI to restrict access to the content not available; and providing the restricted GUI to a user for testing.

Abstract: Asset control system that includes a network management system and a command and control system being structured and arranged to control assignments to assets and being integrated with the network management system to manage resource assignments to the assets controlled by the command and control system within a network.

Abstract: An antenna communication architecture for simultaneous optimal tracking of multiple broadband satellite terminals in support of in theatre operations and rapid deployment applications, and methods in relation therewith. This communication architecture is especially suitable for implementation as a hosted payload configuration on a host spacecraft.

Abstract: Mobile device localization using audio signals is described. In an example, a mobile device is localized by receiving a first audio signal captured by a microphone located at the mobile device and a second audio signal captured from a further microphone. A correlation value between the first audio signal and second audio signal is computed, and this is used to determine whether the mobile device is in proximity to the further microphone. In one example, the mobile device can receive the audio signals from the further microphone and calculate the correlation value. In another example, a server can receive the audio signals from the mobile device and the further microphone and calculate the correlation value. In examples, the further microphone can be a fixed microphone at a predetermined location, or the further microphone can be a microphone located in another mobile device.

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.